Looking Up - Valerie Vardaro

Before

After

My art installation proposal involves adding art to our outdoor ceilings. Many of us would agree that we spend a lot of time looking down; at our feet as we walk, the sidewalk and especially at our cell phones. These installations, starting with this one called “Looking Up”, will prompt us to look up once in a while and enjoy the beauty around us. The piece also includes a quote by Stephen Hawking that says: “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.” He was speaking to space exploration, but the quote is still applicable.

I believe that this proposal should win the competition because “Looking Up” makes people stop and think. This is a confirmation of what Mary Beebe, Director of the Stuart Collection at UCSD stated in her interview in “Naked Art”, “…art is about paying attention…paying attention can be just noticing and thinking about what you noticed….” Also, it is unexpected. One does not expect to see art on outdoor ceilings.

The Mesa campus is very monotone and the pop of color from this piece will bring life to the atmosphere and ambiance surrounding the buildings. Many studies have been conducted about the effect that color has on our moods. For example, blue is calming and great for a library, red is often used in restaurants and cafeterias because is considered an appetite stimulator and yellow which is considered the most agitating color, is often used in fast food restaurants, where the motivation is for patrons to get in and get out quickly.

I chose to emphasize green for this piece because it is located outside and close to nature. Green is known for its calming effect. This is the reason that people wait in a “green room” while they are waiting to appear on television…to relax. I also included some red and yellow to get people moving since most students will be on their way to class when they pass through this area. I believe that the college experience requires all of these mood stimulators, making this the perfect place for this piece. 

~ Valerie Vardaro