John Day - Portal

John Day

I am interested in bringing wilderness into public spaces. I transform these spaces with the use of natural materials so that the spaces are significantly altered, and promote a dialog between manmade and natural environments. The tension that exists between these two worlds provides a challenging area for artistic activity. The process begins with a consideration of the structural or natural components of a given space. An idea for an installation is developed that responds to these components and makes a statement about the natural world within a manmade space, or a park setting. My purpose is to create a work that relates closely to the natural environment, and communicates some of my thoughts and feelings about wilderness to people who visit the setting. It is hoped that viewers may contemplate the relationship and conflict between the space they are standing in and what remains of the natural world. My work also attempts to reverse the process of human encroachment in remaining wilderness areas. In travels through forests of the Northeast, I obtain ideas for my work by observing natural phenomena. I develop installations in natural and manmade spaces using materials that are found in the region. These materials may consist of branches, tree fragments, vines, moss, reeds, stones and other natural objects. The installations vary in size and are usually temporary.