Bard Rock, a riverfront section of the Vanderbilt Estate in Hyde Park New York, is the place I have chosen to do my Studio Explorations Project. A beautiful, peaceful place with a connection the the rich history of the town. A more in depth description can be seen in my posting "Place Project Idea." Aside from my personal experience with this place, I know it has gone through many changes throughout the years. I was able to find some information about the history of Bard Rock on the internet, however, I could to go to the Vanderbilt information center and speak directly to the guides available there. They have a small museum and knowledgeable staff to answer any questions I may have. I read that Bard Rock used to be one of 4 Hyde Park landings, serving as a port for business and leisure complete with a ferry service. It seems that was bought out by the railroad, which to this day, still runs through that space. I'm curious how connected to the Vanderbilt Mansion this place actually is, and possible other uses before it was made into an historical site.
In thinking about artists to use as inspiration for this project, I came up with three different options. There is the Earth Art movement with their natural installations, the Hudson River School of Painters who have romantically depicted areas like Bard Rock, and Joseph Cornell with his assemblage art. I could draw upon aspects of each type of work for my project. I thought about making some sort of temporary installation on site with photo documentation. However, I am much more attracted to the idea of making assemblage or shadow boxes with collected material. As a project, children could gather objects they find interesting, bring them back to the classroom and create their own impression of the experience by arranging the items in a 3D collage format inside provided boxes. Each one would have a glass front, and would be exhibited for other students to learn about their findings. This would reflect each child's unique interests, and different ways of experiencing a place. Learning more about the history of Bard Rock may help me to bring in some social, political or historical issues to the project.
I think your idea for your project is very interesting conceptually as well as historically. I really enjoy that you took children into account when you designed your project. From looking at your work I feel the shadow box idea you have best fits you as an artist, but believe that an installation of the site will fit your project as well.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Joseph Cornell inspired shadow boxes in the respect that I think it will accurately display the things that were found in the area and the preserve the feelings and almost sacred relationship of the memories and history spent there. THe idea of preserving these places in a shadow box the way we preserve memories and feelings is something that would be a great way to put forth your attachment to this place. Also it allows for the ideas expresses in the readings to come through your project, which I think will positively inform your production of this idea and your research.
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