It’s Public Art, and I Helped!

A sketch of Matthew Burke's proposed piece which will be installed in front of the Louden House

The following is a guest post by Bianca Spriggs. Affrilachian Poet and Cave Canem Fellow, Bianca is the Visitor and Events Coordinator for the Lexington Art League.  She holds degrees from Transylvania University and the University of Wisconsin. She is a Kentucky Humanities Council Lecturer and the creator and programmer of the Gypsy Poetry Slam, featured annually at the Kentucky Women Writers Conference.  Bianca is the author of “Kaffir Lily” (Wind Publications).

Over the past year, Lexington has evolved into a greenhouse of creativity.  The proof is in a number of developments from vibrant sculptures at bus stops to a home for the Farmer’s Market and Thursday Night Live, and the seemingly endless construction forcing commuters and downtown-dwellers to literally re-route their lives in accommodation. What began as a staple scene of detours, temporary fencing, and neon flair on UK’s campus, went viral and some days it doesn’t seem like there’s a single side street untouched by an orange cone.  There are, admittedly, some places the sight of construction is more welcome than others, such as the Lyric Theatre.

But in the wake of all the pruning, public art is cresting to the fore.  While our town has always boasted a veritable pantheon of musicians, writers, and arts enthusiasts, Lexington is in the process of blooming very publicly. Between the fruition of the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, the Legacy Trail, the resurgence of the ever-popular Horse Mania, and the soon-to-come altered parking meters, Lexington seems a bit addicted to public works of visual art right about now.

Can you blame us?  Cultivating a healthy appetite for visually stunning artwork can never be a bad thing. In fact, public art breeds social vitality and stimulates good moods all around. And while it’s always nice to admire someone else’s work, it’s a whole ‘nother bucket of paint to have your hand in the creative process. Next week, locals will have their chance.

Matthew Burke, visiting artist from Kansas, will give Lexingtonians the opportunity to participate in a community sculpture outside of the Lexington Art League, at the Loudoun House in Castlewood Park, Tuesday-Thursday, August 10-12.  His vision, “Nexus: Toward New Land Art,” is a basket-woven wood structure erected on the front lawn until June, 2011.

Burke’s vision seems to fall right in step with recent artistic developments in Lexington, “The goal is to create a sculpture that is both visually appealing and intellectually engaging to the community.”  Burke designed the sculpture, which will be wheelchair accessible, from photographs and satellite images of the LAL grounds, taking into consideration solar and celestial patterns, and environmental cycles.  During an on-site visit, Burke was initially struck by the giant Bur Oak that “gives LAL so much distinction” and crafted the design around the concept of a tree limb, in reference to “Kentucky’s human and environmental history as well.”

Interested parties should contact me at bspriggs@lexingtonartleague.org or call 859-254-7024, to take part in creating a genuinely living community sculpture. Once the piece is finished, the “Nexus” will be a welcome site for any people, flora, and critters to interact with over the next year, adding to the already impressive visual landscape Lexington is in the process of harvesting.