Field of Light
"While I appreciate art, I fail to see how using 28,000 spheres, no matter how subtly lit, showcases an intersection with nature..."
— Wildflower Center Fails its Conservation Mission by Lighting Up its Landscape (Austin Chronicle, September 23, 2022)
J'accuse. Subtle lighting is no panacea
This really takes the cake, you must have no concern for nature
The ramifications of the act are serious, this is no laughing matter
Let me tell you, wrapping up a disaster, ignoring harmful effects
I'll bet that you haven't even consulted the experts
Light pollution is real, my friends, why don't you think about the birds
...
"Our goal, with any installation, is to be thoughtful and considerate of the landscape, as well as the topography, and wildlife."
— FAQs - Bruce Munro's Field of Light Comes to The Wildflower Center
And now for the rejoinder, the frequently asked questions
The artist composes a deft environmental impact statement
The obligatory show of commitment, for the field of light is sustainable
A celebration of natural topography, the stated goal is to be thoughtful
Materials highly recyclable, light sources for charitable installations
Solar powered and very durable, the aim is reuse without loss of condition
...
Art is not for everyone as the field of lights exhibit illuminates
For what to the eye of the beholder may thrill and exhilarate
May leave a mark of indifference to others or even infuriate
The thought occurs: what we have here is a failure to appreciate
Field of Light, a playlist
A soundtrack for this note (spotify version)
- Light my fire by Minnie Riperton
- Turn your lights down low by Bob Marley & the Wailers
- The light by Common
- Blinded by the light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
- Turn off the lights by Teddy Pendergrass
- Blinded by the light by The Freedub Press
- Into the light by Prince
- Bright lights by Matchbox Twenty
- Blinding lights by Victoria Voss
- Bright lights by Gary Clark Jr
- Blinding lights by The Weeknd
- Lights by Ellie Goulding
- Bright lights by Cannons
- Light my fire by Massive Attack
You can't please everyone
File under: humour, hatchet job, satire, culture, observation, art, appreciation, perception, environment, modernity, Observers are worried, poetry, toli
Writing log. October 7, 2022
