Cazenovia — Stone Quarry Hill Art Park has announced that in January its artist-in-residence, Sonja Hinrichsen, will work with volunteers to create a landscape-scale “drawing” using only snowshoe footprints, and transform the vast, winter landscape of Stone Quarry Hill Art Park into a work of art. Hinrichsen also will give a public talk about art at the Cazenovia Public Library.
“I saw this as an opportunity to extend our season and bring people to Central New York at a time we are usually quiet, since not a lot goes on in the winter,” said Art Park Director Emily Zaengle. “I thought Sonja’s work was really unique because it’s really abstract … it’s beautiful, elegant and really works with the natural landscape.”
According to her website (sonja-hinrichsen.com) Hinrichsen examines urban and natural environments through exploration and research. Her work manifests in immersive video installations and interventions in nature. Her participatory project “Snow Drawings” engages communities worldwide. Her ongoing community arts project Snow Drawings has been featured on numerous art, design, culture and environmental websites and blogs, as well as on national television and news programs and in international books and magazines.
Hinrichsen’s work and talk will begin the Art Park’s exploration of its 2016 theme: Collective Constructions. She will discuss the relationship between our perception and utilization of place at her lecture from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the Cazenovia Public Library.
Hinrichsen will then create her landscape drawing at the Art Park during the weekends of Jan. 23 to 24 and Jan. 30 to 31.
“She was really impressed with our park because it has so much open space. She’s excited about the possibility of potentially covering all of our open fields with this project,” Zaengle said.
A large part of the success of the snow drawing project will depend on volunteers, Zaengle said. Hinrichsen is seeking people to participate and contribute their footprints to help her create the massive snow drawing. She typically needs about 70 volunteers per project. Any age is welcome, the work will be fairly physical so it’s suggested that children under 16 be accompanied by an adult.
continued — The Art Park will have some snowshoes to borrow, but it is asked that volunteers bring their own. Volunteers can help one day or both days and can contribute two to six hours of time. Free hot chocolate will be given to all volunteers.
Anyone interested in participating in the snow drawing project is asked to RSVP on the Art Park website at sqhap.org/hinrichsen.
The Art Park is also looking for a donation of aerial photography for the project. Anyone with a plane or drone who is interested in donating time, contact Emily at 655-3196 or [email protected].
This event is weather dependent. If there is snow the event will take place both weekends. If there is no snow on Jan. 23, the event will only happen Jan. 30 to 31. If there is still no snow, the event will be canceled for this year.
