R4 II: Recycled / Reclaimed / Reused / Recrafted
Exhibition Dates: June 27-August 23, 2015
Location:
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
1354 N. Second Street
Rockford, IL
About the Exhibit:
This sculpture show features sculptures created from recycled and reclaimed materials set among the tropical plants in Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
The theme of R4 was chosen as a celebration of Nicholas Conservatory’s LEED Gold status, and is curated by Carrie Johnson of Rockford Art Museum, and Lyndi Toohill of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Chicago Sculpture International is an affiliate organization of the International Sculpture Center, and has done many exhibits throughout the Chicago area, including three “Form in Flora” exhibits at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservatory, which was the inspiration for R4 at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
Exhibiting Artists:
Suzanne Cohan-Lange, Fred Klingelhofer, Karen Gubitz, Margaret Lanternman, Margot McMahon, and Bruce Niemi
Special Event:
Mingle with the artists of R4: recycled/reclaimed/reused/recrafted. Enjoy wine and light appetizers while you view the beautiful sculptures on display in the tropical conservatory. Free for Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens members.
Friday, June 26, 2015 • 6:00–8:00 pm
Everything Old is “Art” Again… Conservation at the Conservatory: One-of-a-Kind Sculpture Exhibition
by Sarah Johnson, SJConroy Public Relations
Artist Sharon Bladholm creates her sculptures the same way a plant grows: organically. “It starts with little pieces of clay, lump by lump, up and out, and eventually that extends into extreme shapes, a process which never would have happened by throwing my clay on a wheel.” Nowhere is this more apparent than in her sculpture “Spiky Asparagus”, a 33-inch tall ceramic piece made from materials that were recycled at least twice. This piece and others like it, will be on display for the public beginning June 27 at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford, IL.
This exhibit, aptly titled “R4: Recycled / Reclaimed / Reused / Recrafted, showcases sculptures made from recycled and reclaimed materials by artists who are members of Chicago Sculpture International. The theme for R4 was chosen in celebration of Nicholas Conservatory’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold status, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. To achieve this status, the facility must be built and maintained with the minimum environmental impact.
The sculptures will be on display in the Conservatory’s lush, tropical plant setting through August 23rd. “Nature is recycling all the time,” says Bladholm. “I enjoy the idea of clay being shaped and reshaped into new forms, echoing the transformation of energy that is all around us. As one tree decays and ultimately dies, it provides nutrients for new life.”
R4 will feature other pieces by Bladholm created from recycled and reused materials such as “Dancing Pod”, a free-flowing sculpture reminiscent of plants moving in the wind; and “Splash Pod”, which evokes a drop of water as it hits a pond. Other Chicago Sculpture International artists at this exhibit include Bruce Niemi’s “Suzi’s Garden Series”, an imposing nine foot tall stainless steel structure; and, Suzanne Cohan-Lange’s “The Warning”, two extraordinary 7-foot high recycled porch columns featuring gigantic hands at the top which are made from carved basswood.
In addition to Sharon Bladholm, Bruce Niemi and Suzanne Cohan-Lange, the R4 exhibit will display 11 sculptures by seven well-known Chicago sculptors including: Margaret Lanternman, Fred Klingelhofer, Karen Gubitz, and Margot McMahon.
All these sculptures will be displayed amidst tropical flora in the 11,000 square foot conservatory, the third largest in Illinois.
“Conservatories are the closest one can get to rain forests in a city, and I love the biodiversity that they offer to city dwellers,” says Bladholm, who has visited rainforests, including the Amazon, for more than thirty years. “This has profoundly influenced my work which interfaces art, science, nature and conservation.”
Chicago Sculpture International regularly holds exhibits throughout the Chicago area. The recent “Form in Flora” at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservatory was inspiration for R4 at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
Admission to the R4 exhibit is $6.00 (residents) and $8.00 (non-residents) for adults and $4.00/$6.00 for ages 5-17.
About Chicago Sculpture International
Chicago Sculpture International advances the understanding and creation of sculpture as a unique and vital contribution to society. The CSI seeks to expand public understanding and appreciation of Chicago sculpture through exhibits and public forums on sculpture. The organization engages artists and art professionals in a dialogue to advance the art form, and promotes a supportive environment for sculpture.
About Nicholas Conservatory
Sitting on the banks of the Rock River, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens brings the tropics to the Midwest. The third largest conservatory in Illinois, the 11,000 square foot plant exhibit includes water features, seating areas and sculptures.
The Conservatory is located at 1354 N. Second Street in Rockford, IL.