Olafur Eliasson's Parliament of Reality
Saturday, May 16, 2009 : Inauguration Ceremony and Discussion
Four years in the making, Olafur Eliasson's first major outdoor public art
project in the United States was officially inaugurated on Saturday,
May 16th. Entitled The Parliament of Reality, Eliasson's man-made island is
surrounded by a 30-foot circular lake, 24 trees, and wild grasses. The 100-foot
diameter island is composed of a cut-granite, compass-like floor pattern
(based upon meridian lines and navigational charts), on top
of which 30 river-washed boulders create an outdoor seating area for
students and the public to gather.
The island is reached by a 20-foot-long stainless steel lattice-canopied
bridge, creating the effect that visitors are entering a stage or outdoor
forum. At night, the installation is bathed in a precisely focused,
moon-like light, creating deep shadows behind the pattern of the rocks.
Olafur Eliasson led an international group of scholars and artists in a
series of presentations and performances devoted to our use of space,
architecture, art, and design including artist Andrea Zittel, historian Molly
Nesbit, philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, Tom Eccles director of Bard CCS
Museum, Peter Galison of Harvard, architect Lars Lerup, Felicity Scott
of Columbia University and artist Anri Sala.
photos: J. Galligan - 75Grand