 artist working in neon art & neon sculpture EHLENBERGER
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artist working in neon art & neon sculpture EHLENBERGER
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The Phoenix Series is an ongoing project of public "guerilla art installations." Each installation is placed in a public location but for a few hours only, with no advance warning or publicity, thereby catching the public by surprise. Thus it has become a form of "guerilla art," striking suddenly at unexpected times or places then vanishing, the force of it’s impact more a function of strategic timing than sustained presence. The purpose of the series is to bring art, specifically luminous sculptures, into public sites where their presence is unexpected. It catches people by surprise to bring them artwork out of the usual context of gallery or museum. In this way I hope to elicit a more genuine emotional response from the viewer, without the preconceived mind set that accompanies one in more formal "art" environments. The underlying theme of the series references the mythical Phoenix bird which was reborn in a splendor of color, rising from its ashes. As such, each installation in this series takes place in an environment of waste or barreness. I place light sculptures in these environments where they will be seen to emerge amidst the desolation of their surroundings like the Phoenix rising from it’s ashes. Inspired by the times in my life when I have discovered the unexpected blossom thriving on the side of a brick building or rock crevice, the Phoenix Series is meant to be an abstraction embodying hope, perseverance and faith. |
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Phoenix
I
where:
The Moonwalk at the bank of the Mississipi River when:
April 28, 1998 @sunset The Moonwalk is a popular, well-trafficked scenic walk area adjacent to the Mississippi River on the edge of the French Quarter. Despite its often crowded venue, however, it retains a sense of barreness with the river's shore lined with small boulders that defy any plant life to take hold. One evening around sunset, however, their came to life a multitude of luminous entities.... => |
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Phoenix II where: Old rail car at Magazine St. and the levee, New Orleans when: May 17, 1998 @sunset Alongside the levee by the Mississippi River where Magazine Street joins River Road, there exists the remains of an old turn-of-the-century rairoad car long since abandoned and left to disintegrate over the decades. With an almost stubborn willfullnes, it retains its form almost completely intact despite years of rust and corrosion. An array of large steel gears maintain their imposing presence, their forms a beautiful example of industrial aesthetics. Still able to capture the interest and attention of all who pass by, this relic of yesteryear came alive again, if only briefly, one evening in May of '98... => |
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Phoenix III where:
Piazza
D‘Italia, Tchoupitoulas at Poydras, New Orleans The Piazza d'Italia, a once spectacular example of post modern architecture constructed as part of the World Fair in New Orleans 1984, now slowly crumbles, a mere shadow of its former splendor. Once beautifully lit with highlights of neon, it is now dark and its water fountains dry except for collections of stagnant rain water. It lays waste, decaying in the center of the New Orleans business district quietly awaiting an ever-hoped for rebirth. It recently came alive again, its structure once more brightly lit, this time with an alien collection of Venusian Flora... => |
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