Wells Park Rail Corridor Series 2012

2012 Murals Explore Art, Science & Technology for ISEA2012

The Wells Park Mural Project was launched in 2012 in conjunction with ISEA2012 Albuquerque: Machine Wilderness, so the subject matter of the 2012 murals reflects growing contemporary themes revolving around the intersection of art, science and technology. Four separate murals were created by four lead artists or artist teams, assisted by 12 apprentices from youth organizations including ¡Explora!, the Harwood Art Center and 516 ARTS.

IMAGE GALLERY

All photos 2012, courtesy of David Cudney
{loadposition gal_wellspark}

Nanibah Chacon‘s mural, She Taught Us To Weave, reexamines toold of sustenance and communication in a complex age of technology. A low-powered radio transmitter emits the Navajo phrase “Hozo naahaslii” on station 96.9. “Hozho” encompasses the intrinsic value of living beauty.

David Leigh‘s mural. Mirrored Robots, touches on ideas of camouflage, self-recognition an adaptive mimicry as they relate to machines, conveying the understanding that technology infiltrates life to such a degree that it becomes necessary for survival and identity.

Larry Bob Phillips’ murals are sister pieces titled Trance Dance and Dualities. While being primarily hand-made, the murals are conceived in the face of sweeping and inspiring changes wrought by the technological revolution. From sonar to vector graphics, these images use techniques and formalisms that are mathematical in essence.

John McClendon‘s bee images were created to bring attention to the plight of the honey bee. The growing demand for food, the use of pesticides and other environmental issues decreasing populations of honey bees creates concern for the future of humanity without insects to pollinate our food supply.

Nettrice Gaskins & Laurie Marion worked with apprentices from ¡Explora! as part of the ISEA2012 Education Program, sponsored by Intel, to create Augmented Reality for Open Spaces (AROS). The mural examines cosmic themes of life and death, playing on the styles of both Mimbres imagery and contemporary street art. Augmented Reality components are viewable from devices using the Argon AR Web Browser, available online at http://argon.gatech.edu.

The Wells Park Rail Runner Mural Project is spearheaded and directed by David Cudney, a Board member of the Wells Park Neighborhood Association and director of The 5G Gallery at the Factory on 5th arts complex. He joined together with 516 ARTS to develop the project on behalf of the Wells Park Neighborhood Association.

The 2012-2013 Wells Park Rail Runner Mural Project was made possible in part by The City of Albuquerque Public Art & Urban Enhancement Program, The FUNd at the Albuquerque Community Foundation, Wells Park Neighborhood Association, Intel Corporation and local business supporters.

Images: (top) David Leigh