| Stratum Pier | |
|---|---|
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| Artist | Kendall Buster |
| Year | 2010 (2010) |
| Type | Concrete,steel,fiberglass |
| Location | Indianapolis Museum of Art,Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°49′42.38″N86°11′25.77″W / 39.8284389°N 86.1904917°W /39.8284389; -86.1904917 |
| Owner | Indianapolis Museum of Art |
Stratum Pier is aninteractiveoverlook by American artist Kendall Buster. The functionalsculpture is located at theIndianapolis Museum of Art's100 Acres: Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.[1][2][3]
Based on a section of atopographical map of 100 Acres the artwork consists ofemerald green layered platforms that are shaped in a flowing organic manner along the south side of the sculpture parks lake. The artwork consists offiberglass grids that sit upon a support system made ofsteel. The support system sits at varied heights.[1] Visitors are welcome to walk on, sit, fish at and explore the structure, which is occasionally non-accessible due to flooding.[1][2][4] The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres
Stratum Pier was created to appear as if it is an extension of theshoreline, exhibiting artist Kendall Buster's desire to merge "the natural and the built environment." A visit to the structure allows one to view the cycles oferosion and growth in the 100 Acres environment, cycles that are represented inStratum Piers layered build.[1] Fiberglass was chosen due to its light weight allowing it to easily sit in its present location and its durability which allows for heavy use by visitors to the park. Buster started to design the piece after a visit to the park and inspiration from the topographical maps created to document the parks environment.[5] Buster expects the work to merge with the landscape as the grass and brush that surrounds the area grows into the work.[6]
Buster worked witharchitect Jeremy Olsen of Wheeler Kearns and projectengineer Chris Rockey of Rockey Structures to create the piece.[4][6] The artwork was commissioned by theIndianapolis Museum of Art and funded by a grant fromThe Indianapolis Foundation.[1] In June 2010 Indianapolis based Motus Dance Theatre performed one day, every 45 minutes, onStratum Pier in response to the installation and to celebrate the opening of the park.[7]
Before pursuing fine art, Kendall Buster obtained her degree inmedical technology, then moved on to earning herBFA at theCorcoran College of Art and Design. After receiving herMFA fromYale University she was involved in theWhitney Museum of American Art's Independent Study Studio Program. Buster's work is described as "biological architecture" and resides in the collections of theKreeger Museum, theKemper Museum,Hirshhorn Museum, among others. She has been commissioned to create public art for theWalter E. Washington Convention Center,Markel Corporation, theBOK Center,Nevada Museum of Art, and many others. In 2005 Buster was awarded anAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters Award in the Arts. Teaching atVirginia Commonwealth University, she lives and works inRichmond, Virginia.[1][6]