TEND @ Earth Matters

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2011-10-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

MyLITV.com - Earth Matters :: As Seen on MyLITV.com — Long Islands Best Videos and Local News

Huntington fall festival

2011-10-02T18:17:00.001-04:00

2011-09-28T22:07:00.000-04:00

Rusted root at www.paramountny.com

2011-09-28T21:01:00.000-04:00

2011-09-12T01:05:00.000-04:00

2011-07-26T22:02:00.001-04:00

Jose on vibes!

2011-07-26T22:01:00.001-04:00

Mke on vibes!

2011-07-26T22:00:00.001-04:00

Mike and Karen having a tug o war bamboo style!

Looks like coney island ! LOL!

2011-07-26T21:59:00.000-04:00

Install progress

2011-07-26T21:57:00.000-04:00

Second day of install onsite at museum. Going well but slower than my optimism had in mind! Am needed back at Usdan but can finish tomorrow night. Was hoping to get the outdoor section flatbedded Thursday but now it pouring rain and not able to continue so it'll have to be pushed to Friday.

2011-07-23T20:49:00.001-04:00

This Saturday!

2011-07-18T18:33:00.000-04:00

This Saturday at Heckscher Museum on the terrace we will be installing the incredibly huge bamboo arch! You still have time to be part of this installation and have your name added. Then visit the exhibit and find your name!

A beautiful day in the park!

2011-07-09T20:24:00.000-04:00

More interesting bamboo discussions and woven sections. The bamboo necklaces where a real hit today!! Thanks to everyone for your support !!

More July 2nd images at Heckscher Museum workshop

2011-07-09T03:12:00.002-04:00

Bamboo Workshop participants July 2nd

2011-07-09T02:56:00.001-04:00

2011-07-09T02:15:00.000-04:00

About bamboo,,,,

2011-07-09T02:08:00.000-04:00

So a recent conversation during a weaving session was about the bamboo growing on Long Island. This happens to be the source of my supply so I have mixed emotions.....apparently there is a feud going on in the Town of Babylon where bamboo is overtaking a man's property. His anger and frustration over the invasive grass is that he is trying to get bamboo outlawed! I know its a problem but is that taking it too far? ...not far enough? Here in Huntington I've been told it is reeking havoc in Lloyd Harbor by invading the marshland. Anywhere you see the beautiful grass growing its incredibly serene- especially to hear the wind and birds- it creates a habitat by taking one away- Isn't this what nature dies on its own? or are we the culprit? My solution is to offer my harvesting services! Ah the things i can make with an abundant supply!!.......

"Tend" begins!!

2011-07-02T16:07:00.000-04:00

Open workshops.. Saturdays in the park...you'd think it was the fourth of July :-) oops only the second of July! Great day today lots of people and fun conversations about the pros and cons of bamboo on Long Island!

This project is about interacting with people! Barn building and knitting circle combine to make this a very interesting kind of participatory event!

Sat. July 2, 9, 16, 23
10 am till 2pm
Heckscher Museum Park,
1 Prime Ave.
Huntington NY

Thea Lanzisero

www.thealanzisero.com

Cultivating....

2011-06-07T17:48:00.000-04:00

Ah the rain! I love it but its been a bit much lately! And now the heat!!! The planted materials are very happy but there's so much more to do! Next week ill install a new swing structure...!

The moonflower seeds are sprouted and have already reached about eight inches tall! So have the Morning Glories! Not long now for them to take over!

some follow up images to the last post...

2011-05-12T07:09:00.000-04:00

Wednesday update

2011-05-11T23:29:00.000-04:00

What an incredible day! started off cold and cloudy and by noon the sun was shining, bands were playing out on the quad and people were everywhere. Anthony and Shawna stopped by again today to add a helping hand- as did Erica! Yeah !! You guys are awesome! Lots of people interested in the materials , the interaction...swings/ planters and environmental issues...two film crews passed through- one for the student affairs making a video for incoming freshman and the other for the journalism dept. - a group involved in environmental issues...Marta (who went to st anthony's in huntington for those of you who are in the know) was the capable interviewer as was the rest of the crew .....

So many people stopped to help today, Sarah, Hanna, and so many others it was hard to remember everyones name....but Anthony was the star participant staying till after dark and waiting during the ill timed fire drill to assist in returning materials indoors...and Matt, who is interested in flying jets for the air force who happened to be an eagle scout showed up in the nick of time to assist in tying fantastic knots on the 2nd swing saving the day....and David a botanist, who stopped is interested in helping with the seasonal plantings...The VP of the school dropped by in the am to let me know how excited he was about the installation and how much the students were enjoying it...i guess thats not a bad sign of a successful installation. Great conversations, and great fun in building with so many cool people!

Tons of pictures to be uploaded soon...as well as some really fun video clips!

Project progress

2011-05-11T06:36:00.000-04:00

Great day yesterday! mowing picture from day 1...and Some creative input from participants Erica, Lior and Temi (shown in the rope "dance" videos of braiding the rope for the swing- I'll upload soon) and other particpants, onlookers and bamboo hammock fans...

Swing is 90 percent, Column is up but the crown needs to be finished and the triangular form is in process...big day today! Morning glory and moonflowers are planted in the column, english ivy on the swing with more to go....

2011-05-10T10:41:00.001-04:00

Late start this morning... Traffic And now waiting for an escort to get to the site through campus...

truckload of bamboo

2011-05-09T19:07:00.001-04:00

2011-05-09T19:04:00.001-04:00

Day started with a full Truckload of bamboo. Had to wait for grounds guys to mow the space and check the sprinkler system before unloading ...but everything worked out great. Could not have had a more beautiful day!!

cutting bamboo in Eaton's Neck

2011-05-07T16:03:00.001-04:00

bamboo photos

2011-05-06T20:18:00.000-04:00

2011-05-06T10:12:00.001-04:00

On the road to get bamboo. Will post images.

Preparation for CULTIVATE happening in a big way!

2011-05-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

...besides updating this site i have to go cut tons of bamboo tomorrow-Yipee!

There are two sites to choose from outside Klapper Hall -one is outside the first floor on the green between the dining hall, klapper hall and the office of alumni. The second is outside the 4th floor entrance to klapper on right as you exit. Both good spots and are in the sun-which is needed, and have a fair amount of traffic which is good for interaction....but difficult to choose....any thoughts?

The update

2010-01-29T14:02:00.000-05:00

So Ive added pictures and uploaded some video clips- Im working on editing these plus more...(im shopping for a mini mac and might wait another week to do this)... I will be asking all the artists to send me photos of their sculptures to post- I had to fly home before I had a chance to do it myself!.... Im already thinking about the trip back to key West!...well what else do you do when its 5 degrees outside in NY?

Saturday

2010-01-18T09:11:00.000-05:00

Saturday Sydra and I got an early start and luckily Johnathan Schork was free to help us with the details. This is a man with unlimited energy and enthusiasm. His 'Moongate' was completed early and he spent days assisting everyone else! By 3pm we had copper crimps securing rope ends and solar panels & lights afixed. The bucket truck guru ( aka Mr Schork) took me up for a ride. Beautiful view -perfect for ariel photos. All completed in time for the ribbon cutting at 4! I even managed to change my clothes and get fresh lipstick on before the group photo!

The openng at West Martellos followed so we took sunset portraits and waited a short while for the solar lights to shine then headed over to the festivities. Ursula's piece was spectacular ! You could see it from quite a distance! It was too dark for pictures with the iPhone ( does anyone know of a different app for this- not a flash just more apperature i think) and the digital was by now out of both battery and memory. (Note to self for next time!) Had a quick word with Helen Harrison (Art critic known for her NY Times reviews) A big group ajourned to Salute restaurant for food and livley conversation. Lilly Wei sat between me and the energetic Mr Schork, joining in the enthusiastic bantering around the table. (I did get a picture of Lilly exiting the Pyramid which I'll post later)

2010-01-17T18:02:00.001-05:00

The last two days were extremely busy
so I've missed some updates! The pyramid raising happened fairly close to the scheduled time and it was actually filmed in two angles! Ill post in the next few days! I'm so thankful to all the artist who meadered over to take part in the happening. (was it the smell of the ziti ?) Things were moving slowly earlier in the day and i was worried the structure wouldnt be ready - but when everyone showed up there were a few hectic moments of drilling and securing the bamboo to the frame. Once again renewing my faith in humanity- and the power of the stomach!

Had help from so
Many people-Jackson, Richard, Evan, Cody, Jen Gonzoles, Jim Racchi, Roger .... With Syrdra on one roving camera, and Johnathan set up a second one on a tripod!

After that I was exhausted and barely made it to the evenings festivites at 917(?) Duval for a glass of wine with other SKW people. Then about twenty artists met at Mo's (French turned Haitian restaurant) that barely had room to fit our roudy bunch. Very low key place and the plantains were excellent!

Have I mention Vera? I'm not sure how she pulled off this daunting task of overseeing the whole show but she did-and with finese! Go Vera!

Thursday philosophy

2010-01-16T08:43:00.000-05:00

Progress slow and steady except when waiting for power tools to be recharged! Gone through two batteries and ones both Johnathan Schork and bill wood lent me! Anyway, I'll post a few more site images. Tomorrow is the pyramid raising. I've prepared 2 pans of ziti for the occasion. I'm shooting for 2pm if all goes well.

Wednesday

2010-01-14T08:49:00.000-05:00

Today was a difficult day with a number of unexpected hurdles. Artist Richard Brachman appeared onsite in the afternoon at the perfect moment to shift our momentum into high gear, earning a well deserved beer later at the Half Shell. Tomorrow will prove to be a better day.

I want to mention the accomodations. This place is wonderful. Not only is there a beautiful canal lined with mangroves out the back, but I'm also lucky to share the house with a number of other talented artists. I've posted a picture of the 'backyard'. Ron ( who I mentioned in an earlier post) was here with his articulate and impressive assisant- his seventeen year old daughter Annie. She helped him build a beautiful minimal architectural adobe structure relating to the surrounding forts. Karen McCoy and Robert Carl, who are creating a very interesting collaboration of sculpture and sound, are also housemates. I will post more photos later.

Weaving

2010-01-13T07:52:00.000-05:00

Tuesday. Beautiful sunny day! It finally hit about 55 degrees so I was able to leave behind some of my winter layers! Great progress with the weaving today because of volunteers. I was lucky because one of the sculptors, Jackson Martin, was waiting for supplies so he and his assistants Evan and Cody had time. Uploaded some pics. I'm greatful to Sydra Nightingale, guest artist extraordinaire! With her help im staying on schedule, working out onsite decisions, relying on her insight, and keeping cool under pressure- And let's not overlook that I'd be stranded without transportation!

We accomplished weaving all four sides of the pyramid and tomorrow we will work on the frame. Time to play with the sawzall! I'm confedent there will be time for details, specifically the doorways and the solar light effects - any major setbacks withstanding!

My goal with the bamboo installations are to offer a hands-on experience, get people involved. The 'low tech' process of weaving is successful for this purpose. It may be time consuming but it's people friendly, meditative, and easy for anyone to accomplish. There is something very special about the woven bamboo and how people react to it visually and tactiley. I like to think of it as a distant memory connecting us to our anscestors.

2010-01-12T16:43:00.000-05:00

Monday @ 2pm the bamboo arrives! The story relayed to me was that the truck broke down around Miami. After changing trucks during a record low temp. of 32 degrees they left this morning @ 7am to 'make their way' to the Keys (usually a four hour journey). I think the material was left outside in the previous day's rain and then froze because as we started to work today under the 50 degree sun the bamboo began popping. Yes- like popcorn! Weird phenomenon! In the end only a few were really damaged ---but that was crazy!

1st Day in Key West

2010-01-10T07:49:00.000-05:00

Well the weather kept everyone from accomplishment today - but I did help Ron Fondow hang a cool robotic chair made by artist Robert Chambers indoors at West Martello. We were invited to a sculpture key west board member's home for a little soiree in the evening to catch up with the other artists here for the show. It was great to see Ursula Clark, the environmental artist who puts together the BWAC (Brooklyn waterfront artists coalition)outdoor sculpture shows at Brooklyn Bridge Park. This is an awesome space to exhibit I highly recommend it. Good to also see Jim Racchi and Doug Makason

OK, so ive saved the best for last! The real story is that of bamboo. Those of you who remember the last key west bamboo fiasco of 2007 will really appreciate this. The freight is somewhere in a truck in Florida -maybe even in key west!- "spotted" for unloading- (whatever that means) and Fedex freight is closed till Monday....the saga begins.

Pyramid at the Edge of Heaven

2010-01-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

Ive created this new posting to follow my installation at Sculpture Key West. I'm just one of many exceptional sculptors who were invited to participate - chosen by Lilly Wei, New York based independent curator, art critic and writer for the Art in America, ArtNews and Art Asia Pacific magazines.

My brother James created a few CAD drawings from my simple SketchUp files and dimensions for the "Pyramid at the Edge of Heaven" bamboo sculpture. (Awesome - thank you James!!) The original piece was meant to be over 20 feet high but with funding at an all-time low we opted to create a 10 foot model with hopes of securing funds to realize the original intended piece sometime in the near future. That being said, this seemingly smaller sculpture is still something to be reckoned with.....

Ive checked the weather- and well -its not what you'd think would be happening in the Keys...cold warnings from the national weather service! But as far as i can tell 50 degrees and windy is still better than 5 degrees! My installation starts on Saturday the 9th... rain is predicted--This will be an interesting start!

Archived Installation In Rhodes Greece

2010-01-05T18:38:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone- The site for the archived blog is here: Art Installation Greece Archive