2008 Woodie Awards
Artists combine art, environment
Faith Bellieu
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: The Inside
- Page 1 of 1
When Mags Harries and Lajos Héder were asked to revamp an old Arizona hydro-power plant in 2003, they used recycled metal and stones to generate energy and open community space. The finished product was a dance floor for public events, several energy-generating waterfalls and a "water room" complete with seating and views of the nearby Indian School Road.
For their design, the couple received the Honor Award for Excellence from the National Waterfront Center for "WaterWorks at Arizona Falls."
Harries and Héder were the first guest artists in "Northeastern Creates," a program comprised of lectures and appearances from well-known artists.
The couple spoke Tuesday to an audience of more than 50 students and faculty about their recently developed focus to engage water and the environment as the sculptural median in commissioned public works.
"We're selecting very high quality artists with international reputations," said Edwin Andrews, art and design chairman for "Northeastern Creates."
Now in its third year, the series includes creators specializing in a variety of art forms, from experiential film to professional art sculptures. Interactive events like film screenings and student exhibitions will also be incorporated in the appearances. The events are free and open to the public.
Harries is a Welsh artist and teacher at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (SMFA). Héder is a Hungarian environmental artist and architect.
Students said they were inspired by the dynamic of Harries and Héder's "rubberized collaboration."("We have ideas that bounce off of each other," Harries said.)
"I found it interesting that artistic points of view could be used so much to compliment the architecture," said Ali Aas, a freshman graphic design major.
The greeting on Harries' and Héder's website (www.harriesheder.com) captures the couple's mindset when approaching a fresh task:
"Public art is a lot more than placing large objects in public; it can reach every aspect of the environment and realize its poetic possibilities," according to the website
The team focuses on interactive art staples that invite community members to explore and live cooperatively with nature and art. Projects often escalate from a low level of functionality and purpose to become community landmarks.
Harries and Héder will soon begin work on the Concord River Greenway in Lowell to accompany many other public art projects throughout Massachusetts. Harries was recently awarded a travel and research grant from the SMFA to study Step Wells in Rajasthan and Gujarat, India.
Their works in various areas like parks, zoos or museum installations are aimed to evoke creativity.
"Often people ask us what we meant by our projects; what we we're trying to convey," Héder said. "But we respond with, 'We don't know. You tell us.' Why is it important? Because you're there and you felt it. All we hope is that [our works] talk to your spirit, open something up. Art is not just one juxtaposition."
For their design, the couple received the Honor Award for Excellence from the National Waterfront Center for "WaterWorks at Arizona Falls."
Harries and Héder were the first guest artists in "Northeastern Creates," a program comprised of lectures and appearances from well-known artists.
The couple spoke Tuesday to an audience of more than 50 students and faculty about their recently developed focus to engage water and the environment as the sculptural median in commissioned public works.
"We're selecting very high quality artists with international reputations," said Edwin Andrews, art and design chairman for "Northeastern Creates."
Now in its third year, the series includes creators specializing in a variety of art forms, from experiential film to professional art sculptures. Interactive events like film screenings and student exhibitions will also be incorporated in the appearances. The events are free and open to the public.
Harries is a Welsh artist and teacher at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (SMFA). Héder is a Hungarian environmental artist and architect.
Students said they were inspired by the dynamic of Harries and Héder's "rubberized collaboration."("We have ideas that bounce off of each other," Harries said.)
"I found it interesting that artistic points of view could be used so much to compliment the architecture," said Ali Aas, a freshman graphic design major.
The greeting on Harries' and Héder's website (www.harriesheder.com) captures the couple's mindset when approaching a fresh task:
"Public art is a lot more than placing large objects in public; it can reach every aspect of the environment and realize its poetic possibilities," according to the website
The team focuses on interactive art staples that invite community members to explore and live cooperatively with nature and art. Projects often escalate from a low level of functionality and purpose to become community landmarks.
Harries and Héder will soon begin work on the Concord River Greenway in Lowell to accompany many other public art projects throughout Massachusetts. Harries was recently awarded a travel and research grant from the SMFA to study Step Wells in Rajasthan and Gujarat, India.
Their works in various areas like parks, zoos or museum installations are aimed to evoke creativity.
"Often people ask us what we meant by our projects; what we we're trying to convey," Héder said. "But we respond with, 'We don't know. You tell us.' Why is it important? Because you're there and you felt it. All we hope is that [our works] talk to your spirit, open something up. Art is not just one juxtaposition."
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