Embrace is a 72-foot wooden sculpture of two people embracing, slated for Burning Man 2014. It is the largest project to date for the Pier Group, which gained acclaim for its previous Burning Man installations The Pier, Pier 2, and the Ichthyosaur Puppet Project. Crews began construction on Embrace in October 2013 at the Generator community art space in Reno, and in studios in Vancouver and Portland. The sculpture depicts two people from the waist up, embracing. It will be realistic in shape, with an exterior made of delaminated plywood for an organic, peeling effect like that of eucalyptus bark. The interior will consist of two cavernous, cathedral-like spaces, one inside each body, with ornate, Gaudi-esque elements including chandeliers in the shape of human-hearts. Its planned to be a space where people can sit, reflect, look up, feel the wind through the sculpture, and think about life and love, says Matt Schultz, the projects lead artist. The sculpture is a monument to relationships, both present and past. Embrace is also meant to explore the idea of collective consciousness, the shared beliefs and ideas that unify a society. To this effect, each of the figures heads will be accessible by spiral staircase and will each hold about 20 people, who will have a view out to the other head, the event, and the expansive Black Rock Desert. This design feature is intended as a metaphor for shared experiences and viewpoints. The sculptures spacious interior is intended as a place for reflection in the midst of the Burning Mans high-stimulation environment. About the Pier Group: The Pier Group is comprised of dozens of artists, builders, professionals, and administrators from many walks of life. The group is backed by corporate donors; small businesses; grants from the Burning Man organization and the Nevada Arts Council; and contributions from family, friends, and community members. The group began in Reno and now has outposts in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Canada. Past Pier Group installations include The Nest, The Net of Recollection, The Pier, Pier 2, Couch Train, and Ichthyosaur Puppet Project. Embrace will be the group’s most ambitious undertaking yet. Hundreds of volunteers are working on Embrace, from carpenters and structural engineers to administrative personnel, event coordinators, and fundraisers. We all thank you for your interest and support on this phenomenal project!
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 22:29:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015