Client: Miami University of Ohio
Location: Oxford, OH, United States
Completion date: 2017
Artwork budget: $192,000
Project Team
Artist
Amy Baur, Brian Boldon
In Plain Sight Art
Public Art Agent
Kathy Signorino
Ohio Arts Council
Architect
Connie McCarthy
Miami University of Ohio
Overview
Dimensions: 12ft. H x 28ft. W x 6in. D
Materials: glass and ceramic prints, glass, glaze, porcelain, aluminum
Based the phenomenon of crystal twining our sculpture is a powerful demonstration of geologic process that becomes the ground for imagery moving into the third dimension. Porcelain triangles are projection mapped and painted with alkaline earth crystalline glazes, a colorful thermal geologic display. Kiln-formed glass triangles fused with digital glass prints of agricultural, urban, and distressed landscapes document our human imprint on Earth and our current use of global resources.
Goals
Flux integrates photographic imagery fused to glass with glazed porcelain and aluminum forms to create this dynamic relief sculpture. Alkaline earth materials create a rich crystalline glaze palette demonstrating geologic process and energy. Photo based imagery depicts agricultural, urban and distressed landscapes that support areas of study.
Process
We worked closely with the Miami University of Ohio Department of Geology, Geography, Environmental Sustainability and the directer of the Mineral and Earth Science Museum to create a work of art that reflects areas of study and research. "Flux" floats and cascades along the atrium wall over the amazing mineral collection in the museum. We used the same minerals in our glazes to create a more complex narrative concerning Earth/Human relationships and our use of earth materials and sustainability.
Additional Information
We explored three different modes of expression and knowledge in "Flux". There in the objective scientific method of inquiry through creating our aluminum relief sculpture based on Crystallography and the geologic process of crystal twining. We used the camera as a witness capturing the realities of how we have altered and shaped our environment. And lastly, we literally used earth materials and subjective human experience to demonstrate earth energy through glaze painting. We are exploring relational thinking as a path toward sustainability.