Artpark launches three new installations

A crowd of more than 50 people gathered at Artpark Thursday evening to participate in the official opening of three new installations:

•"Bower," by Ellen Driscoll and Joyce Hwang, is a multimedia installation joining glass with a series of interrelated architectural structures meant to promote awareness and interest in local bird species. The exhibit, located at the back end of the park, past the concert grounds, intends to draw attention to the perils of bird-window collisions.

"Bower" was curated by returning Artpark artist Mary Miss and her City as Living Laboratory organization. It is the inaugural program for a new, multi-year initiative at Artpark: "Artpark as Living Laboratory." This initiative is intended to transform Artpark into a place where artists are offered opportunities to develop strategies that advance environmental awareness, literacy, and sustainable development.

"Bower"

•"Earthsong," by Carin Jean White, is a motion-sensored sound installation based on conversations with local Haudenosaunee. It comes alive in the intimate wooded area around the Hopewell mound in Artpark's lower park.

Earthsong shares Native American heritage and culture, and draws attention to the natural environment of the area. The project has been created and is managed in partnership between Artpark, White (an independent artist in residence), the New York State Parks Interpretive Department, the Lewiston Council on the Arts, and arts and cultural colleagues in the Haudenosaunee communities. Belinda Patterson serves as the Haudenosaunee consultant. The exhibit is open through the fall of 2016.

"Earthsong"

•"Percussion Garden," by David Cossin, Glenn Kotche, Dave Hind, Julian Majewski, Tanis Winslow, Stephanie Kowalski, Jasper Reese and the "Adventure Department," is a series of installations presenting playful opportunities for visitors to explore different ways to interact and produce sound. As with any garden, it is the intention of Artpark & Company to see this garden grow and evolve over the seasons.

The garden (pictured) is located in the lower park near the Emerald Grove stage.

At each stop of the tour Thursday, guests were provided with an explanation of each installation, a walk-through, and refreshments.

For more information, visit www.artpark.net.