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Lesson Plans


ID/UA: Art and Ecology Project/ Art & Artists

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Kerin Allen (kallen.edu)
Mon, 16 Nov 1998 13:57:37 -0700

Kerin Allen
Art and Ecology Project: Lesson
Overall theme: Nature used as an inspiration for artists
Specific issue: Nature inspired designs that work to restore or enhance
a water
dependent environment
Artists/Artworks:
Lynne Hull
Desert Hydroglyphs in Utah are hand carved symbols in shapes derived
from animal tracks or animal body parts. The abstracted,
petroglyph-like shapes are carved out of rock in low, dry areas to
collect and hold runoff rain. Individual descriptions follow.
1) Scatter (1986): Three hump-backed incisions descend to pock
marks. All casually nest in small, medium, large progression.
2) Floating Water Moon (1993): An incised crescent harbors three
snake-like writhings across the low quadrant. Three more wriggle
outside the incised curve, waiting.

Patricia Johanson
Fair Park Lagoon in Dallas combines two Texas plants as design
models to form sculptural elements that translate into pathways, islands
and microhabitats. Designed in tandem, they stabilize the shoreline,
restore the water habitat of the lagoon and provide an educational
arena. Individual descriptions follow.
1) Saggitaria Platyphylla (1982): This twisted root design
incorporates the shoreline while interspaces offer refuge to the
waterlife. Wide terra-cotta paths meander into leaf-shaped islands,
visitor seating and overlooks.
2) Pteris multifida (1982): Based on a Texas fern, this design
works to create bridges and causeways that span interspace flower
basins and fish ponds.

Jody Pinto
Papago Park in Arizona was inspired by the universal symbol of life,
the tree and the ancient Hohokam irrigation canal system. This
functional design harvests life-giving rainwater, terracing it back into
the replanted desert gateway. Axis markers stand as memorials to the
Summer Solstice.
a) Papago Park (1992): Seven quarried branches stem horizontally
from a canal trenched trunk. Natural desert foliage, terraced seven
times, complete the tree shaped design. Two vertical stone axis markers
form the base of the tree while five others stand aligned with the
summer sunrise.