Emergence: Art in a Free Surface
Emergence: Art in a Free Surface temporarily installs environmentally conscious, minimal impact works of art within Portland’s many public green spaces and urban hiking trails. Visitors are invited to interact with natural and human history, while simultaneously viewing contemporary art as part of an intersection of art and the outdoors. These pieces could range from temporary sculptures, canvases suspended within trees or other sturdy objects, audio and visual projections and more.
This project conveys an importance of our connection to the natural world — that we are a part of it and not just from it. Offering an alternative reason to visit these green spaces; i.e. walking through Baxter Woods because you heard there is an art project tucked away among the pines versus just trying to take a shortcut home, provides a sense of adventure and new form of connection to oneself, the land and our city.
Possible install locations include (but are not limited to) Baxter Woods, the trails behind Evergreen Cemetery, Deering Oaks, and Canco Woods.
Artist bio:
Jordan Kendall Parks is a Black bi-racial femme who lives and works in South Portland, Maine. Jordan uses art to spark conversations around place, existence, and belonging. Their work is heavily influenced by our relationship with the natural world and each other, and she focuses on cultivating interactive outdoor exhibitions that encourage people to engage with their surroundings, find a sense of adventure and discover art along the way.
Cover image: Jordan Kendall Parks, Shelter, 4x6 ft Painted Canvas, hung as traditional basecamp tarp on Little Chebeague Island (Jordan Parks)