BIOLUMINAIRE: A Contemplative Bioluminescent Sculpture Garden
- Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 6pm - 8pm Art Reception
- Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 6pm - 8pm
Train shed near Silos
Nestled in the heart of Texas, "BIOLUMINAIRE" emerges as a beacon of interconnectedness where art, technology, and the natural world converge in a symphony of light, sound, and organic form. This interactive sculpture garden, drawing inspiration from the state’s iconic oak trees and the unseen, intricate networks of mycelium that bind the forest floor, reflects the hidden beauty and complex communications within nature that elude human senses. Crafted through the collaborative vision of artists and engineers, "BIOLUMINAIRE" delves into the essence of Texas natural landscapes and the hidden connections that sustain them by mimicking the organic architecture of oak branches and the subterranean mycelium networks. These structures are not only visual marvels but also mediums of auditory storytelling, incorporating field recordings from across Texas’ diverse ecosystems to create a living archive of its environmental sounds. The inclusion of these natural soundscapes, from the whisper of wind through grass to the distant call of nocturnal wildlife, is further enriched by the conceptual underpinning of mycelium networks. This inspiration is manifested in the way the sculptures interact with visitors and each other—through touch and movement, they activate and communicate, mimicking the mycelium's role in the forest as a communicator and sustainer of life. This hidden network becomes a metaphor for the unseen forces that connect us to each other and to the environment, inviting a contemplation of the invisible yet fundamental bonds that sustain communities and ecosystems. "BIOLUMINAIRE" is an ode to the beauty and complexity of nature, emphasizing the critical roles of both seen and unseen connections in nurturing life. It is a space where technology and natural philosophy merge, inviting visitors to engage, reflect, and appreciate the delicate web of relationships that underpin our world. Through this immersive experience, the garden becomes a microcosm of Texas’ enduring spirit of resilience and connection; a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and community in the face of ongoing ecological and cultural shifts.
BIOLUMINAIRE: A Contemplative Bioluminescent Sculpture Garden is a site-specific installation as part of the 2024 Texas Biennial curated by Erika Mei Chua Holum, Ashley Dehoyos Sauder, and Coka Treviño. The Texas Biennial is a geographically-led, independent survey of contemporary art in Texas. The program was founded in 2005 by Austin nonprofit Big Medium to provide an exhibition opportunity open to all artists living and working in the state. The eighth edition of this program will take place in 2024, making the Texas Biennial the longest-running state biennial in the country. Since its inception, the program has brought the work of over 300 artists to new audiences, springboarding many artists’ careers and underscoring the diversity of contemporary practice in Texas.