Indigo Waves

Artists: Tory Tepp, Jill Altamore and Kim Reighter

Indigo Waves is an interactive public art project that incorporates the growing of plants into an installation designed for the creation of art. Here we follow a process of art making that begins with seeds, sun and water. Once the plants have matured, they can be harvested and processed to make dyes, inks, pigments and fibers. These materials can then be incorporated into the making of many different types of art. In this instance, we will be collecting and recycling used denims from the community, and weaving them together with various natural materials to create a kind of tapestries and lattices. These weavings will then become part of the flowing walls that will shape this space. As these natural fiber artworks break down from exposure to the elements, they will be composted back into the soil and replaced with patches of fresh art.

To develop this installation into a fully sustainable environment we will be incorporating interactive mechanisms and systems. These will include sunshades that double as water catchments, channeling water into the growing beds and rain barrels. This stored water can then be pumped back into the system. The pumping of water, as well as electricity for lights, will be accomplished by the inclusion of bicycle-powered generators. The installation is intended to be fully participatory and interactive with the public and we invite people to explore this piece as it continues to grow and expand with new plants and new fiber arts.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website