The City of Boulder is stirring the pot of public conversation with its latest offering - the Experiments in Public Art Lecture Series. The Community Vitality Department has curated a lineup of talks that delve into the intersection of art, environment, and community engagement. Kicking off this exploration into public art's evolving role is Ana Maria Hernando, who will be presenting on May 10 and 21 at the Boulder Public Library's Canyon Theater, according to the City of Boulder.
Hernando's lectures are touted to shed light on her practice in which she intertwines notions of femininity with urban landscapes. Guests will also have the chance to absorb her piece, "Fervor", which will adorn the library for the entirety of May. The discussions extend into summer with Molly Gambardella tackling climate issues on June 28 and 29th through her use of recycled materials. She, too, will be contributing to the visual feast with an array of large-scale recycled flowers.
As the series progresses, Francesca Rodriguez Sawaya and Renata Gaui are scheduled to share their insights on the fusion of weaving and computer coding on July 31 and August 2, coupled with an interactive Augmented Reality experience for the audience. Following them, the creative duo of Sarah and Joseph Belknap aims to wrangle found objects into art on August 10, while their engagement further blooms into a full moon community workshop set against the natural backdrop of the Sunrise Amphitheater.
Bringing a streetwise perspective to the series, Bimmer Torres steps up on September 28th to discuss the journey from graffiti to grand municipal murals. His lecture will culminate in a hands-on community mural workshop, in partnership with Street Wise Arts. Brendan Picker-Mahoney, the city's Public Art Program Manager, encapsulated the series' ambition: "This lecture series is designed to inspire community members to recognize and celebrate the creativity that exists all around them," as obtained by the City of Boulder, he expressed hope that attendees will forge a deeper connection with their surroundings through these events.
