Public Art Program: Art Meets Nature

Taking cues from the native landscape and California inspired architecture, the Plaza 183 Public Art Program, Art Meets Nature, is a compilation of abstract and literal interpretations of California Native Flora. Each artist was selected based on their unique interpretations and use of material, as well as their understanding of the motif.

The overall motif plays on leveraging vibrant colors to complement the warm and natural inspirations of the facades. Diversifying the use of four unique artists touches upon this theme with a new and innovative approach to using materials, color, kinetics, and creativity. The following is a rundown of each artist and description of their pieces:

California Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium Californica)

By Brian Keith

Keith’s contemporary sculpture at Plaza 183 depicts three California Yarrow, each sitting between six and eight feet tall, made from a combination of steel, bronze, and yellow resin.

"The design of my sculptures that depict these majestic creations came from the inspiration of the umbrella-like canopy that each flower displays," Keith explained. "A beautiful site when you come across a California Yarrow on a hike. It stops you in your tracks. Displaying a wide variety of colors this plant also once was used for medicinal purposes. I hope it will be medicine for the soul to all who view these works of art."

Alice’s Garden

By Deanne Sabeck

Sabeck’s installation at Plaza 183 is an eight-foot contemporary and classical representation of the California Poppy. The petals, made from dichroic glass, change color with the angle of the sunlight and also reflect color onto the sidewalk.

"I chose to work with the California Poppy for several reasons," Sabeck said. "The first one being its vibrant color. Gold, orange, red are all colors that are typical colors in poppies and just happen to also be my favorite colors to use in my work. I like the warmth, life, and fire they convey.

"Secondly the shape is extremely beautiful, delicate, and yet strong, very playful and vessel-like. It is a shape I can easily work with in steel, glass, and acrylic to create an iconic work of art that identifies well with its location. In a gigantic sculptural form it becomes very Alice in Wonderland. Of course the fact that it is our state flower gives this beauty a royal quality as well!"

Live Oak Tree

By Chris Puzio

The sculpture combines the geometry and free-flowing nature of the oak as a representation of connectedness and outreach. The sculpture's motivation is to abstract the visual idea of the oak while also functioning as a visual "beacon" and unique aesthetic element calling to mind place with Plaza 183.

The Oak Tree Sculpture conveys Puzio's love of geometric form and patterned shadow. This body of work, exploring themes of biological growth, has been inspired by his many trips to Joshua Tree and the Sierra Nevada. His contemporary sculpture at Plaza 183 is 10 feet tall and made from metallic aluminum rods of various thickness.

Three Graces

By Kon Dimopoulos

Dimopoulos’ kinetic sculptures are installed at Plaza 183 in three sections with each blade measuring between eight and 10 feet high. Each individual blade is made from high performance composites painted red, designed to sway with the wind.

"I have strong environmental emphasis in my art practice and I like the fact that nature is integrated into my linear kinetic artworks by the wind, even a gentle breeze, choreographing and creating a graceful movement," Dimopoulos said. "On still days my sculptures look equally elegant and beautiful as they create both a visual presence and a sense of harmony.

"For me, sculpture doesn't exist on its own in a vacuum, it co-exists within the peripheries of other objects, form, shapes, and environments. One of the nicest compliments I have received was from a landscape architect who said that my work breathed when you stood next to it."