Contour

 

Sharon Kallis | Pierre Leichner | Robin Ripley

August 1 to November 15, 2014 

Contour employs natural plant debris to create a series of projects that delineate the park’s natural topography and architectural design patterns. Each project highlights the interrelationship of our physical, cognitive and emotional responses to the site. Community collaboration will be multifaceted offering experiential opportunities to work with different plant materials through both structured events, and casual passerby interactions. In this way, we intend the process of mutual creative involvement will reawaken our sensibilities to the complexity of patterns that surround and connect us.

Stow installation by Robin Ripley

The Paulownia tree with its fragrant blossoms and useful wood has a rich history particularly in its native East Asia. The installation ‘Stow’, refers to the early use of Paulownia pods as packing materials to ship fragile porcelain. Legend suggests that Paulownia’s spread in temperate areas of America resulted from the pods dispersing tiny seeds on their journeys across the country.

Slowing Spaces by Pierre Leichner

This engaged community-based project gave participants the opportunity to connect with hidden corners of the park, creating ‘drawings’ from natural flora. Following the contours of the pathways, these intricate installations encouraged people to slow down and take notice.

Leaking Window by Sharon Kallis

Sharon works with the water lily stems, harvesting them from the pond during regular summer maintenance. With community participants, the art of making rope from these stems is explored. The resultant rope has been formed into the shape of a leak window, referencing the architectural feature of the wall running the perimeter of the park.

Counting Quintessence by Robin Ripley

Chinese gardens evoke the natural world and the passage of time through the use of plants. This engaged project follows this tradition, using pods, leaves and blossoms gathered and pressed throughout the year. Using paulownia tree rings as a base, the plants are strung together in patterns, which can be moved and rotated by viewers.