Celtic Forest as seen at Burning Man 2008
RENO, NV – Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2008, “Celtic
Forest: Book of the Raven” will soon transform an empty lot into
a dramatic interactive art installation, performance venue and
community gathering spot. Its presentation is unique, not only
in its materials of metal and fire, but also in its scale and
artistic vision. Celtic Forest was conceptualized by Laura
Kimpton and created by artists Jeff Schomberg, Antonio Ruperto,
and Bob Hofmann.
This temporary installation by the river features a 16-foot
tall, steel and copper book entitled “The Book of the Raven”,
three 10-foor tall sculptures, and three 20-foot tall flaming
metal trees called “Treelabra’s”. Fire Special Effects will
light up the night sky while fire dancers and spinners from
Controlled Burn will surround the Forest creating an evening
spectacle never before presented in downtown Reno.
This outdoor exhibit will run July 1 through December 1,
2009
Celtic Forest is an environment where the elements of nature,
earth, wind, water, and fire, literally and figuratively
represented, are balanced with the human senses. Each of the
Gods/Goddesses are surrounded by moats representing an element –
and all moats will represent fire. The sculptures created by
Antonio Ruperto are: the Goddess of Air, Belissima; the Goddess
of Water, the Mermaid Boann; and the God of Earth, the Centaur.
The moats house metal books, each with a title. Artist Laura
Kimpton states, “We hope to create a Celtic place where you can
break free from the voice of words, so that other voices, the
voice of sight, the voices of intuition, smell, and nature – can
be heard and celebrated. The sculptures are half-human and
half-animal, bird or fish, symbolizing that we need to tune into
the animal side of our nature…”
While embracing many “new age” systems of our era, Laura Kimpton
became especially interested in the largest social art
experiment of our time, Burning Man. In 2007 and 2008, Laura
Kimpton, Jeff Schomberg, and Bob Hofmann received Burning Man
Honoree Grants to help build “Celtic Forest”.
Various parts of Celtic Forest have since been exhibited in
Museums, Art Galleries, and Benefits, including: “Close to the
Flame” Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA; “Burning
Words” Exhibition, Laura Kimpton & Jeff Schomberg, NY
Studio Gallery, New York; “Bringing Back the Fire”, Santa Rosa
Junior College Art Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA; “Treelabra” Site
Installation, Forest Ethics Benefit, supperclub, San Francisco;
and “In Flight” Site Installation, Project One Gallery, San
Francisco.
“This is the second Burning Man art installation to come to Reno
through the collaboration of the Civic Art Program of the Black
Rock Arts Foundation, the non-profit art organization of Burning
Man, and The City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission’s grant
program. “Celtic Forest: Book of the Raven” supports the mission
of the Reno Arts program to involve its citizens in the
community’s cultural life and encourage artistic
excellence,” said Maria Partridge, Reno project liaison for
BRAF.
To make a
DONATION
to this project.
PRIOR POSTS
May 15, drop anchor and walk the plank at OVERBOARD, an all-night
dance party to benefit FIGMENT. For one night only, we will
transform a haggard ferry dock into a merry port of call,
featuring the siren songs of the city’s finest bands, DJs
and performers. Maritime, mermaid, sailor, pirate, deep sea
creature or other nautical attire is encouraged.
