Light Garden is a site-specific conceptual garden of light-cultivating elemental sculptures in glass and marble brought to life with water collected from waterfalls in Tuscany. Conceived for the courtyard of the historic 16th century Palazzo Galli Tassi in Florence, the site-sensitive works evolved over several years in two countries: glass sculptures flameworked in Toronto, Canada, and marble from Carrara carved in Pietrasanta, Italy, culminating in an artist residency at Numeroventi to realize the works in situ.
Light Garden
by Karen Miranda Abel
Open weekdays
11.00-17.00
06.09–19.10.2022
Light Garden
by Karen Miranda Abel
Open weekdays
11.00-17.00
06.09–19.10.2022
Approaching the courtyard as a contemplative space for quietude and a sanctuary of subtle light and shadow, the works highlight spatial and atmospheric tones, reflecting the life, colour, and Renaissance architecture illuminated by the sky. Attuned to both the enduring and ephemeral characteristics of the space, the installation considers the relationship between the palazzo interior and the ebb and flow of light phenomena of Tuscany: alba (sunrise), tramonto (sunset), crepuscolo (twilight), and chiaro di luna (moonlight) in resonance with glass cascade sculptures filled with flowing water collected from Tuscan waterfalls, solid glass optical forms, and a hand-carved marble pool at the center of the courtyard to collect rainfall.
Karen Miranda Abel is a Canadian interdisciplinary artist from Toronto. Abel’s durational field studies and site-sensitive elemental installations reflect on timelessness and the intrinsic values of natural phenomena. Light and space are collaborators in a research-based slow art practice in which she ultimately realizes her works as conceptual gardens cultivated in time and place.
This exhibition is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts
