DATE: May 21, 2009
CONTACT:
Claiborne Linvill, 864-656-6205
linvill@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Debbie Dalhouse, 864-656-6737
ddalhou@clemson.edu
Nature-based sculpture documentary airs in June
CLEMSON — A documentary on the latest nature-based sculpture in the South Carolina Botanical Garden will air in June on public television.
“Touch the Earth: A Chameleon Meadow – In Praise of Shadows” tells the story of two artists of different cultural backgrounds who were invited to address a water runoff issue in the garden’s redwood meadow.
To meet this charge, Hiroko Inoue of Japan and Yvette Dede of Charleston had to merge not only their individual artistic styles and processes but also the requirements of environmental engineering, landscape architecture and aquatic horticulture.
“This video captures the creative interface between art, science and nature that resulted in a nature-based sculpture that specifically resolves an environmental issue,” said Ernie Denny, program facilitator.
“In a short amount of time, the artists had to face a multitude of challenges to create a large, functional and beautiful artwork while simultaneously dealing with cultural barriers, artistic preferences, scientific necessities and the stresses inherent in leading an interdisciplinary collective of students, faculty and staff to achieve a unified creative vision,” Denny said.
“Touch the Earth” will air on S.C. Educational Television (SCETV) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, and on the South Carolina Channel at 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. It is the seventh program in a series detailing creation of the garden’s 16 nature-based sculptures.
This project was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and produced by Clemson University Video Production Services. For more information, call 864-656-3405 or visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.
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The S.C. Botanical Garden is located on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of U.S. 76 and Perimeter Road. The garden encompasses 295 acres of display gardens, nature trails, woodlands and streams, and is open year-round from dawn to dusk, free of charge. The garden is partially supported by the state of South Carolina via Clemson University, but relies on donations, memberships and proceeds from educational events to fund operating expenses.