- June 19th, 2008
- Filed under Art and Nature Park
When I started at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in the fall of 2004, the opening of the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park seemed so far in the future it was laughable to me that we even had meetings about it. Fall 2009 seemed like an eternity away. For God’s sake, I thought to myself, I’ll be nearly 30 years old when the park finally opens! Now with the recent proliferation of my first gray hairs, 30 doesn’t seem that far away, and with the plans for the park taking shape neither does opening day.
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park has always seemed a bit ambiguous to me. With the solidity of the Museum and its galleries and history of Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens, the Art & Nature Park seemed like the elusive Holy Ghost of the IMA’s trinity. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2009, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park has a history that goes well beyond my time at the IMA. Discussions about the use of the space have been ongoing for decades. However, over the last few months, plans for the park have really come together and as we get closer and closer to the opening date, I can now see more clearly the future of the 100 acres of woodland, wetland and meadows adjacent to the Museum.
Want to learn more about the Art & Nature Park?
1. I would suggest visiting the Art & Nature Park section of the IMA’s Web site to read up on the basics. Find out what has been done already. Learn about the inaugural artists commissioned for the park. And discover some of the goals and plans for the space.
2. I highly encourage you to come to the Art & Nature Park Public Forum tonight at 7:30 PM at the IMA. Here’s the official description of the event: Maxwell L. Anderson, the Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO of the IMA, will welcome the audience and give an overview of the vision for the Park. Mark Zelonis, the Ruth Lilly Deputy Director of Environmental and Historic Preservation, will present an overview of the nature found at the site. Lisa D. Freiman, senior curator of contemporary art and director of the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, will present an overview of the artist projects and the visitor center.
Following these brief presentations, those present will have the chance to ask questions of key players about plans for the park. Special guests will include representatives from neighborhood groups and representatives from environmental organizations.
3. I would love for you to share your thoughts on our blog. Let’s start an online dialogue about The Park. To date, what have been your experiences with The Park? What interests you the most about the space? What are your concerns and comments about the project? Please feel free to share your thoughts here.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I must say that I’m disappointed to see that the original plan has been scaled back. The loss of the super-cool, mega-awesome bridge is a big loss in particular. I thought the original plan was pretty close to a home run. I guess fund raising must have lagged. We’ll just have to see how things turn out. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the session.
I would have prioritize the bridge, then spent the remaining money on exhibits as funds allowed. Incorporating a mix of temporary works with the permanent ones wouldn’t have been a bad tweak. I think pursuing an incrementalist approach to the original vision, perhaps incorporating this temporary work aspect, would be better than scaling back to the current plan.
That’s just my two cents.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
What was shaping up to be one of the rare examples of excellent landscaping and architecture in Indianapolis has been relegated to a mere revolving outdoor gallery. I’m not a fan of the art rental approach downtown and I’m curious as to whether it will improve at the IMA.
Above all, I was looking forward to using the bridge. It looked to be one of the most beautiful, compelling bridges in the country. A structure of which the city could be proud and find inspiration in. Deleting it and the other permanent structures is a huge disappointment.
That being said, the IMA did a great job in selecting the first round of temporary pieces for the park, as I’m sure they will in the future. I also agree with the IMA that a lack of permanence will free artists to take bigger risks. I’m sure I will swallow my disappointment at the loss of the bridge and enjoy the Art and Nature Park.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Let me lead you to a press release on the IMA Web site that may give more insight into the change in plans for the Park, part of the IMA’s broader mission to promote environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices:
“Following a detailed study and anaylsis of the site, and in consultation with artist Mary Miss, the IMA has also decided not to pursue a planned 1,500 square-foot bridge and walkway which was to connect the IMA with the Park. As plans progressed, IMA realized that the bridge, to be constructed from 600 tons of steel, would have an enormous impact on the natural environment, in conflict with the Park’s mission. The IMA and Mary Miss now are exploring other possible ways to collaborate, including an independent permanent sculpture that would address some of the environmental issues the artist has explored throughout her career. Visitors will have access to the Park using the historic Pony Truss pedestrian bridge and through two new pedestrian entrances on the north and south sides, which will allow for more circulation around the IMA’s entire campus.”