Annual outdoor art installation set for Oct. 2-3 

September 24, 2019 - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Art Department’s 28^th Annual Outdoor Art Installation is October 2-3. The event showcases student works of art designed to be site specific on the UWRF campus grounds.

This year’s guest artist is Pedram Baldari, a Kurdish-Iranian born sculptor, architect and interdisciplinary artist. Baldari’s artistic practice focuses on installation, site specific performance art and social practice. An accomplished artist, he has been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions since 2010 including a solo show in Victoria and Albert Museum, London in 2012, Documenta 13th Video Import-Export program, Video Nomad Tokyo 2015, and Art Basel Switzerland 2014. Baldari’s work challenges viewers on current issues such as borders, national identities, and cultural heritage.

In addition, Baldari has received art residencies internationally and has been a part of group exhibitions in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, and the U.S. He is the recipient of the 2012 Magic of Persia and Delfina Foundation Award, Jerome Fellowship Commission for Franconia Sculpture Park, and the Vermont Studio Center Award. He recently received funding through the Star Dust Fund for his fellowship and art residency at Weisman Art Museum in 2019. Baldari currently lives and works in Minneapolis.

This year’s theme is “Portal.” In particular, how do we engage with doorways, gateways, and other transitional spaces through the use of installation and materials? How might our intervention of space be affected and challenged by the physicality of natural and constructed environments? How does it alter our perceptions and understandings of movement through specific spaces?

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m., Baldari will give a short presentation of his work in North Hall Auditorium. From 1-3:30 p.m., Baldari will give his thoughts on installations during the walk-about with students and guests on the campus grounds. The public is welcome to attend the presentation and the walk-about.

Site maps identifying the individual installations can be picked up in the lobby of the Kleinpell Fine Arts building near Gallery 101 beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 2. Work will be de-installed Oct. 4.

The installations, walk-about and presentation are free and open to the public. Everyone is asked to please respect the artistic ideas by not altering or damaging the artwork.

For more information, call the UWRF Art Department at 715-425-3266.