Ephemeral Installation Art: Artist Talk with Robin Croft & Marcos Smyth

Ephemeral Installation Art: Artist Talk with Robin Croft & Marcos Smyth
Saturday, June 22, 2-4 pm
(9419 Battle St, Manassas, VA 20110)
(Free & open to the public)

“Ephemeral” art refers to a work that is by nature, intended or destined to disappear, deteriorate, or decompose over time. There are many forms of ephemeral art, ranging from sculpture to performance, but the term is often used to describe a work of art that only occurs once, like a happening, and cannot be incorporated into a lasting museum or gallery display. Ephemeral artists anticipate the disappearance of their creations, challenging the principle of arts impermanence. When creating outdoor installation ephemeral art, the setting and materials of the natural site often suggest or inspire the imagery to be built. The state of the artist’s mind also plays a role as the process of ephemeral art involves creation in a highly intuitive, improvisational mental state. Ephemeral installation art is labor-intensive and requires the adoption of a hunter-gatherer’s intensity. Working alone on ephemeral installations is an exercise in itself; however, collaboration with another artist allows for larger work and the nurturing of new ideas.

Virginia artists Robin Croft and Marcos Smyth create ephemeral outdoor installations from naturally occurring materials. Robin and Marcos have completed several individual installations, and they have also collaborated on ephemeral installations, such as the Stage with Five Figures in a Vale executed during the Azule Arts Residency in Hot Springs, NC, and Refugees, Drowning Refugee, and Refugee Wall, all three completed along the Potomac River (South of Old Town Alexandria). Individual projects have also been completed in Virginia (including Prince William Park and Lake Jackson), West Virginia, Maryland, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and most recently for a 2-week residency at Millay Arts in New York.

Learn more about the fascinating subject of ephemeral installation art during this Artist Talk with Robin Croft and Marcos Smyth. Robin and Marcos will discuss and present examples of both their individual and collaborative projects. Additional topics of discussion include how their collaboration started and the political climate surrounding ephemeral art.

Contact
ARTfactory, Gallery Director: Jordan Exum | jexum@VirginiaARTfactory.org
9419 Battle St, Manassas, VA 20110
703-330-2787
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday (10 am-5 pm), Sunday (12-5 pm)
VirginiaARTfactory.org