Earth Lens Series
Earth lenses' are interactive artworks intended to engage viewers with the natural landscape and highlight features of the surrounding land. Each earth lens is built in perspective to carefully frame the landscape according to the natural features present. Because of this, earth lenses' can take many different forms and materials depending on the location of the site. Every earth lens is also accompanied by a bench positioned at the ideal location for viewing the work so the viewer can take a seat and enjoy the highlighted view.
"Chongming" - Shanghai, China
Tree branches. 4'8" circle. 2021.
Tucked away off the bend of a sidewalk in a quiet forest park, Chongming focuses its attention towards the north end of the pond it lies on. Chongming is an alluvial island off the coast of Shanghai between two large land masses. The focal point of the lens forces viewers toward the canal separating both sides of the park where a small alluvium, much like the island it stands on, lies. As with all Earth Lens' works, a bench was seated at the optimal viewing distance, 12 feet away.
"Grandfather" - Dawei, Myanmar
Tree branches, driftwood, rock. 5'7" tear drop. 2020.
Situated on the west end of Grandfather Beach in Dawei, Myanmar- this lens focuses viewers attention to the point of a peninsula housing the only access point to this beach. The lens aims to focus on the shape of the rock which closely resembles the treacherous path leading to the beach. This is the first international lens in the series and was built just before the global pandemic of March 2020.
"Platte" - Littleton, Colorado
Tree branches, rock. 4'4" circle. 2017.
Located on the west bank of the South Platte River in Littleton, CO- this Lens invites viewers to take a short break from the popular water activities and focus their attention on a secluded bend of the river with Waterton Canyon in the immediate backdrop.
"Sanctuary" - Castle Pines, Colorado
Tree branches, rock. 4' circle. 2016.
Built at Daniels Park in castle Pines, Colorado- "Sanctuary" focuses its attention on Pikes Peak. In the foreground of the frame the viewer sees the 17th and 18th holes of Sanctuary golf course. A thick coverage of distant tree and land create a false line through the middle of the lens separating the foreground from the main icon; Pikes Peak.
"Folsom" - Boulder, Colorado
Tree branches, rock. 4' circle. 2016.
Located at the top of Baseline Road on Boulders Flagstaff mountain sits Folsom. This lens highlights the iconic Folsom Field seen from a distance in a vast landscape of Boulder. The bench is positioned 6 feet from the lens to give viewers the perfect view of the stadium, urging viewers to take a seat and contemplate on life and the human connection with landscape.
"Looking Glass" - Boulder, Colorado
Tree branches, rock. 4' circle. 2016.
There are many beautiful things in nature that are often overlooked. "Looking Glass" attempts to refocus attention on subtle, yet magnificent, parts of nature while forcing the viewer to notice the small things. The works consists of a 4 foot diameter circle and rock bench located 22 feet away. Markers in the ground assist those who stumble upon the piece to finding the bench and sitting down. From the bench, the viewer is located in the perfect position for viewing the work and can sit and enjoy the piece in harmony. Distance and perspective allow the viewer to peek through the "looking glass" and appreciate the framing of a selected view aiming for the goal of a human-environment interaction while learning to appreciate the small things.
