Here's one that I took looking out across the field:
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Light + Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who came out for opening day on Saturday. The afternoon's book talk, panel discussion & gallery opening was a lot of fun & turning on the lights for the first time in the snow was something I've been looking forward to for a very long time!
Hope you have an opportunity to drive past the shed some night soon... sunset to 10pm every night for the rest of December. The best viewing area is on the east side of Rt. 116, just north of the Meadow St. traffic light. Of course you can also visit the Nacul Center (592 Main St. Amherst) to
see the gallery show with drawings by Scott Tulay and photographs by Arthur Mange.And now a few more thank yous...
My huge and heartfelt gratitude to Joe and Sarah Swartz of Swartz Family Farm for welcoming this project, Terry Rooney, Amherst Public Art Commission Chair for her vision and the entire APAC committee for their support, Bruce Wallace of Theatrix Lighting and Production for his guidance about the lighting, Paul DiBenedetto Electric for getting the wiring accomplished and Larry Schaffer, Amherst Town Manager for his appreciation and coordination magic. I couldn't have done this without their support!
Thanks to everyone else who helped “see the light” including Scott Tulay & Arthur Mange, Darcy Purinton & Dale Cahill, Tom Hartman, Meg Vickery, Derek Noble, Gretchen Schneider, Alex Lefebvre, the Jones Library Special Collections, Nacul Center, Dave Damery of the UMass Amherst Department of Natural Resources Conservation, UMass Amherst Graduate School, Nora & Tony Maroulis of wunderarts, the Amherst/ Mass Cultural Council, WMECO and Art Angels.
On opening night we had help with parking from Aisik and Alex Newman and the wonderful Officer Jaime and UMass NAHB students helped people to find their way out to the shed. Not an easy job in the snow! Thanks also to the Black Sheep and Mom's House for helping with the food.
And thanks to my friend / amazing designer and photographer Anita Licis-Ribak who took these beautiful pictures Saturday night!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Opening Night December 5!
Shedding Light on view "in the field" AND at the Nacul Center: Starting SATURDAY December 5
You'll be able to view Shedding Light starting December 5th all lit up in the field at Swartz Family Farm. We are also excited to announce that during that time we'll also be hosting an exhibit about the project at the Nacul Center Gallery on Main St. in Amherst. Highlighted will be the black and white photographs of Arthur Mange and beautiful drawings by Amherst artist/architect Scott Tulay.
Save the Date: SATURDAY December 5, 2009 Shedding Light exhibit opening and discussion!
at the Nacul Center Gallery:
2:00 Opening Talk by Darcy Purinton & Dale Cahill, photographer and author of the new book, "Tobacco Sheds of the Connecticut River Valley". Darcy & Dale will discuss their experiences and interest in tobacco sheds as well as show some of their beautiful photographs.
2:45 Panel Discussion, "Living Green: From the Past to the Future". Join us in a discussion about the role of design excellence and ingenuity in creating sustainable environments. Panelists:
at Swartz Family Farm:
5:00 a Visit to Swartz Farm to turn on the lights. Joe + Sarah Swartz are offering a special Open House at the farm. See their greenhouses, enjoy a hot chocolate, sign up for a farm share AND see Shedding Light!
You'll be able to view Shedding Light starting December 5th all lit up in the field at Swartz Family Farm. We are also excited to announce that during that time we'll also be hosting an exhibit about the project at the Nacul Center Gallery on Main St. in Amherst. Highlighted will be the black and white photographs of Arthur Mange and beautiful drawings by Amherst artist/architect Scott Tulay.
Save the Date: SATURDAY December 5, 2009 Shedding Light exhibit opening and discussion!
at the Nacul Center Gallery:
2:00 Opening Talk by Darcy Purinton & Dale Cahill, photographer and author of the new book, "Tobacco Sheds of the Connecticut River Valley". Darcy & Dale will discuss their experiences and interest in tobacco sheds as well as show some of their beautiful photographs.
2:45 Panel Discussion, "Living Green: From the Past to the Future". Join us in a discussion about the role of design excellence and ingenuity in creating sustainable environments. Panelists:
- Thomas RC Hartman AIA (architect, Coldham&Harman Architects)
- Meg Vickery (architectural historian & curator UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center Gallery’s upcoming "Greening the Valley" exhibit)
- Dr. David T. Damery (Associate Professor and Director, Building Materials and Wood Technology UMass Amherst Department of Natural Resources Conservation)
at Swartz Family Farm:
5:00 a Visit to Swartz Farm to turn on the lights. Joe + Sarah Swartz are offering a special Open House at the farm. See their greenhouses, enjoy a hot chocolate, sign up for a farm share AND see Shedding Light!
Another Supporter
Thank you to Art Angels for their recent support of Shedding Light! Their contribution will allow for collaboration with the Youth Action Coalition of Amherst. YAC's Video Vanguards group will help me to document the project and create a short video documentation of the project and the farm.
Friday, October 16, 2009
WMECO Supports Shedding Light
I'm happy to announce some wonderful news that brings us even closer to bringing this project to reality. WMECO (Western MA Electric Company) has funded our grant request to provide public outreach and education about sustainability issues in our region. We are grateful for their support!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thank you Amherst Cultural Council
The Amherst Cultural Council has granted Shedding Light $2000.00 towards making this project a reality. Many thanks for their support!
Shedding Light Featured in Brooklyn Exhibit
A large format photograph from the February test lighting and a model of the tobacco shed will be exhibited as part of Pioneer Women show at Tabla Rasa Gallery in Broolyn, NY from April 18 - May 30, 2009.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Article in the Amherst Bulletin
Friday February 13th's Amherst Bulletin included a great article about the project!
Click HERE to read the whole article. Here is a quick excerpt:
'Shedding Light': Public art project looks back and forward for Amherst's 250th.
by Bonnie Wells
On a frigid Friday night late last month, a small but hardy crowd turned out at the Swartz family farm in Amherst for a sneak preview of a public art project planned as a finale to Amherst's 250th anniversary celebration this year.
As the dusk deepened, the tobacco barn that Joe and Sarah Swartz call "the far shed" was transformed into a gigantic lantern. With its ventilation panels opened, and lit from within, it sent broad beams of light deep into the surrounding fields, picking up the contours and glint of the snow. Click HERE to read the whole article.
Click HERE to read the whole article. Here is a quick excerpt:
'Shedding Light': Public art project looks back and forward for Amherst's 250th.
by Bonnie Wells
On a frigid Friday night late last month, a small but hardy crowd turned out at the Swartz family farm in Amherst for a sneak preview of a public art project planned as a finale to Amherst's 250th anniversary celebration this year.
As the dusk deepened, the tobacco barn that Joe and Sarah Swartz call "the far shed" was transformed into a gigantic lantern. With its ventilation panels opened, and lit from within, it sent broad beams of light deep into the surrounding fields, picking up the contours and glint of the snow. Click HERE to read the whole article.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
All Lit Up
On Friday January 30th I had the chance to do the first test lighting for the project. With just one light (we'll eventually use 12) we saw a beautiful preview.
Bruce Wallace (from Theatrix) brought one of the metal halide lights. Sarah and Joe Swartz (owners of the barn) brought hot chocolate & donuts. And Terry Rooney (chair of the Amherst Public Art Commission) brought a dozen or so friends of the project out into the field to watch the sun go down and the lights come on.
Thank you to everyone who came out. Your interest in and support of Shedding Light is so important!
Bruce Wallace (from Theatrix) brought one of the metal halide lights. Sarah and Joe Swartz (owners of the barn) brought hot chocolate & donuts. And Terry Rooney (chair of the Amherst Public Art Commission) brought a dozen or so friends of the project out into the field to watch the sun go down and the lights come on.
Thank you to everyone who came out. Your interest in and support of Shedding Light is so important!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kind Words
~ excerpted from a letter by Sarah Swartz (proprietor of Swartz Family Farm and owner of the site for Shedding Light)
Last spring my husband and I were approached by the Town of Amherst’s Public Art Commission to see if we would be interested in letting them find a way to “light up” our tobacco shed that faces Rt. 116 for “a few nights” as a part of the Town’s 250’s Celebration. They would use “green energy.” The vent doors would all be left open in order to let the light run out down onto the twilight [winter] snow. They would take pictures.
This particular art proposal means so much to us because it reinforces the special place agriculture has in the history of the Town of Amherst and also the importance our fourth generation family farm has played in that history. This project commemorates the town’s 250th anniversary. The town’s seal is that of the book and the plow. The book is evident in Amherst’s everyday “five college bustle.” I believe that our citizens need to be reminded of the importance of the plow.
Four generations ago our family laughed and sweated and dreamed in that barn. I would so like so sit behind it, under a cold starry sky and see the warm light spill out onto the blue snow and watch reflected back at me the new faces who come to see my beautiful barn all dressed up for the first time.
Last spring my husband and I were approached by the Town of Amherst’s Public Art Commission to see if we would be interested in letting them find a way to “light up” our tobacco shed that faces Rt. 116 for “a few nights” as a part of the Town’s 250’s Celebration. They would use “green energy.” The vent doors would all be left open in order to let the light run out down onto the twilight [winter] snow. They would take pictures.
This particular art proposal means so much to us because it reinforces the special place agriculture has in the history of the Town of Amherst and also the importance our fourth generation family farm has played in that history. This project commemorates the town’s 250th anniversary. The town’s seal is that of the book and the plow. The book is evident in Amherst’s everyday “five college bustle.” I believe that our citizens need to be reminded of the importance of the plow.
Four generations ago our family laughed and sweated and dreamed in that barn. I would so like so sit behind it, under a cold starry sky and see the warm light spill out onto the blue snow and watch reflected back at me the new faces who come to see my beautiful barn all dressed up for the first time.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Shedding Light Project Schedule
Shedding Light will come to life in December 2009. In the darkest month of the year, it's cold, there might be snow on the ground. Imagine a long, wooden barn sitting alone in a vast field. Each night as the sun goes down, the lights come on and shine out onto the landscape like a lantern.
Present - December 2008
Project design and fund raising
February 2009
Installation testing
February 2009 - December 2009
Refinement of design
Project fund raising continues
December 2009
Project installation and viewing
Exhibits and Lectures
Present - December 2008
Project design and fund raising
February 2009
Installation testing
February 2009 - December 2009
Refinement of design
Project fund raising continues
December 2009
Project installation and viewing
Exhibits and Lectures
Being Green
Among the many ideas influencing Shedding Light is that family farms are in jeopardy. Far Shed has been standing for nearly 200 years and, while it's in no danger of falling down just yet, it could use a little love and updating to make it more functional for a wider array of uses.
Thanks to a brilliant idea by Amherst Public Art Commission Chair, Terry Rooney, Shedding Light proposes to use a photovoltaic array (solar panels) to offset the energy consumed by the lighting the barn for the month of December 2009. Terry came up with the idea to use solar energy to light the barn in honor of our sustainable Amherst community. While the project is temporary (only lasting a month), the pv system will remain on the farm to help offset the cost of electricity for the foreseeable future.
Thanks to a brilliant idea by Amherst Public Art Commission Chair, Terry Rooney, Shedding Light proposes to use a photovoltaic array (solar panels) to offset the energy consumed by the lighting the barn for the month of December 2009. Terry came up with the idea to use solar energy to light the barn in honor of our sustainable Amherst community. While the project is temporary (only lasting a month), the pv system will remain on the farm to help offset the cost of electricity for the foreseeable future.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
My Collaborators
This project would not be possible without the contributions of ideas and expertise of many individuals and organizations.
Most significantly, Swartz Family Farms has offered their "Far Shed" for the project. They have my eternal, heartfelt appreciation for their donation.
Also vital to the success of this project is the Town of Amherst (especially Town Manager Larry Shaffer and Terry Rooney of the Amherst Public Art Commission). They have embraced the idea of Shedding Light and I am working with them to clear the way for the project.
I would also like to acknowledge the participation of University of Massachusetts Amherst and Professor Dr. David Damery Director Building Materials and Wood Technology in the Dept. of Natural Resources Conservation. In addition to providing expertise on alternative energies, Dr. Damery is involving his students in the design of the photovoltaic array that will provide power to the lights.
wunderarts, a fabulous contemporary art gallery in Amherst, has invited Shedding Light to exhibit images of the installation and will host film and lectures in December 2009.
Theatrix of Belchertown, MA has provided lighting design consultation.
Since the project will only exist for a month, it will have a second life on film. I have also started discussing the project with award winning documentary filmmaker Kate Geis.
Most significantly, Swartz Family Farms has offered their "Far Shed" for the project. They have my eternal, heartfelt appreciation for their donation.
Also vital to the success of this project is the Town of Amherst (especially Town Manager Larry Shaffer and Terry Rooney of the Amherst Public Art Commission). They have embraced the idea of Shedding Light and I am working with them to clear the way for the project.
I would also like to acknowledge the participation of University of Massachusetts Amherst and Professor Dr. David Damery Director Building Materials and Wood Technology in the Dept. of Natural Resources Conservation. In addition to providing expertise on alternative energies, Dr. Damery is involving his students in the design of the photovoltaic array that will provide power to the lights.
wunderarts, a fabulous contemporary art gallery in Amherst, has invited Shedding Light to exhibit images of the installation and will host film and lectures in December 2009.
Theatrix of Belchertown, MA has provided lighting design consultation.
Since the project will only exist for a month, it will have a second life on film. I have also started discussing the project with award winning documentary filmmaker Kate Geis.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Shedding Light Project Statement
As an architect, I’m always very interested in the landscape and the vernacular of regional buildings. So when I moved out to western Massachusetts a few years ago and I saw the tobacco sheds for the first time, I was immediately struck by their inherent beauty. Learning that farming in general (but tobacco farming in particular) is an important and unique aspect of the region’s history, but that it’s a dying practice has made it that much more interesting for me.
My proposal is relatively simple: To fill a tobacco barn with lights, open the ventilation panels and just let the light shine out onto the landscape. We will essentially be creating a beautiful lantern. This lantern will highlight the value of Amherst’s farming community in conjunction with Amherst’s 250th Celebration.
The working title is Shedding Light – As with much of my work, the idea is to call attention to the environment (both built and unbuilt) and create a forum for the questions that arise as a result of the work. In this case I am calling attention to the role of public art in the community, beauty of the barn, to the special quality of the tobacco that’s grown here, to the disappearance of the farmer for all the various reasons, to the risk of smoking… And while light has been used in very literal ways to illuminate both objects and issues; with Shedding Light, illumination itself is the object of attention. What is the power of art to connect us to our landscapes, both cultural and physical?
Due to the temporary nature of Shedding Light this project also calls for a series of photographs or film to document the work. As well, complimentary programming such as an exhibit of photographs or film at wunderarts gallery, a collection of oral histories from Amherst’s farming community and lectures should also be explored. Partnerships with local academic experts and students in various fields are most welcome.
To honor the awareness and sensitivity in the Amherst community towards a sustainable future for both its landscape and its residents, I propose that this project should be supported by alternative energy sources (this could mean a photovoltaic array or a windmill powering the lights inside the barn). And while the lighting of the shed is a temporary feature, the sustainable energy source will be left behind to help power the farm for decades to come. This will be both a visible legacy of the significance of Amherst’s 250th birthday as well as an exciting hint at the direction that regional agriculture might take in the future.
My proposal is relatively simple: To fill a tobacco barn with lights, open the ventilation panels and just let the light shine out onto the landscape. We will essentially be creating a beautiful lantern. This lantern will highlight the value of Amherst’s farming community in conjunction with Amherst’s 250th Celebration.
The working title is Shedding Light – As with much of my work, the idea is to call attention to the environment (both built and unbuilt) and create a forum for the questions that arise as a result of the work. In this case I am calling attention to the role of public art in the community, beauty of the barn, to the special quality of the tobacco that’s grown here, to the disappearance of the farmer for all the various reasons, to the risk of smoking… And while light has been used in very literal ways to illuminate both objects and issues; with Shedding Light, illumination itself is the object of attention. What is the power of art to connect us to our landscapes, both cultural and physical?
Due to the temporary nature of Shedding Light this project also calls for a series of photographs or film to document the work. As well, complimentary programming such as an exhibit of photographs or film at wunderarts gallery, a collection of oral histories from Amherst’s farming community and lectures should also be explored. Partnerships with local academic experts and students in various fields are most welcome.
To honor the awareness and sensitivity in the Amherst community towards a sustainable future for both its landscape and its residents, I propose that this project should be supported by alternative energy sources (this could mean a photovoltaic array or a windmill powering the lights inside the barn). And while the lighting of the shed is a temporary feature, the sustainable energy source will be left behind to help power the farm for decades to come. This will be both a visible legacy of the significance of Amherst’s 250th birthday as well as an exciting hint at the direction that regional agriculture might take in the future.
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