Wingscape
This project is a journey of scientific discovery into the extraordinary patterning found all around us. Wingscape consists of two ceramic tile murals (over 16,000 pieces), a 20 ft. tall sandstone column, 275 linear feet of sandblasted limestone slab, and an 11 ft. geologic cairn monolith created for Hurst Hall at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado (collaboration with David Griggs). Each artistic element is based on algorithmic and fractal patterning in nature and represents a variety of ways to describe natural pattern formation, from mathematical models to molecular processes to physical characteristics that represent the various scientific disciplines within the building. The culmination of this installation is revealed in two ceramic tile murals in the entrance atrium. The Gunnison area is host to two species of butterflies which are currently endangered: the Nokomis and Uncompahgre Fritillaries. These butterflies survive in a few remaining glacial tundra environments and have a lifespan of about two weeks. Using hand-made glazed ceramic tile in several different proportionate sizes, the murals portray a pixilated effect of their wings which corresponds to levels of scale and magnification. The process of diffusion triggers the patterning seen in the butterfly wings in the murals.
