December 2011 – June 2012
An eagerly anticipated event, The Blue Trees by Konstantin Dimopoulos is our Temporary Artist Project for summer. Firstly realised in Melbourne, Australia then in Vancouver, Canada and now at Brick Bay, the artist is taking The Blue Trees around the world.
Dimopoulos transformed native manuka trees at Brick Bay into an electric ultramarine blue walkway using biodegradable pigment. The vibrant Blue Trees call to attention the issue of deforestation and its impact on global warming. Every year some 800,000 miles of forest are felled, trees which breathe for the planet, and without them temperatures rise. Often overlooked in daily life, trees are enormously important to our survival.
The ultramarine pigment is biologically safe within a water base and classified as a non-hazardous substance, harmless to humans and the natural world. Over time the colour naturally degrades and trees return to their natural state.
In nature, colour is used as both a defense mechanism, a means of protection, and as a mechanism to attract. The artist explains “The Blue Trees attempts to awaken a similar response from viewers. It is within this context that the blue denotes sacredness, the reverential”.
Brick Bay Sculpture Trust are thrilled to be sponsoring the project, one which is so aligned with the Brick Bay philosophy of honouring and working with the natural environment to create, enhance and celebrate life.
A special event every summer season, the Temporary Artist Project serves to broaden an understanding of sculpture, in addition to the diverse abundance of work by leading New Zealand artists available for sale at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail.
More information on The Blue Trees can be found here http://www.kondimopoulos.com/blue-trees/about