Space: Now You See It

March 24–May 15, 2022
J. Wayne Stark Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 1110

 
Created by the students of Horticulture 453 Floral Art
Instructional Associate Professor – Bill McKinley, AIFD

This exhibition presents a floral wonderland, inviting viewers to explore how floral art installations inhabit and alter the viewers’ perceptions of space and depth of field. Students have worked throughout the semester to artfully create the spatial masterpieces, three in total, which are suspended from interior rooms in the Stark Galleries.

Definition of SPACE
the open areas around the individual components of a design (unoccupied/negative space), as well as the area occupied by the design components (occupied/positive space).

Overview
The element of design SPACE is often overlooked, however, it is a powerful tool that can influence our perception of art. The goal of this project was to illustrate not only the importance of SPACE, but also how, by changing the viewers’ angle of perspective, a design might be transformed.

Process
Students were divided into teams to participate in creating oversized floral art installations. Individual components were created, and then they were added to the large wooden frames. Precision of each attachment was crucial for the design’s finished visual illustration of SPACE.

Results
Students were able to refine their floral design skills by heavily utilizing the element of design SPACE, as well as the principles of design rhythm, unity, and contrast.

Virtual Tour

Step inside the galleries and view this exhibition virtually. This interactive tour lets you move through the space while viewing the artworks on display. You can find more digital resources to explore on our Virtual Tours page.