Timeless Beauty
Sustainability is defined as the capacity to endure over time and making things last is at the very core of the green movement. While many conversations about sustainability are based around the materials, there is a social and aesthetic element as well. Will a project or product appeal to a wide cross-section of people over time? Will the design endure?
This weekend I went to see the Chihuly Exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum - an amazing art exhibit in an amazing venue that represented this type of sustainability. In the early 1930's, a group of people had a vision to create a botanical preserve in the Dallas area. That vision grew into what is now the Dallas Arboretum. Their mission - "to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research", was taken to another level with the addition of the dramatic glass sculpture of this American artist. Spectacular and colorful pieces were nestled in the already breathtaking gardens drawing visitors to the beauty of nature as well as the sculptures. Despite the staggering heat, the arboretum was full of people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. The squeals of surprise and excitement from the youngest visitors to the quiet reverence of the more mature guests reminded me of the sustainability and importance of timeless beauty - both natural and man-made.
Sustainability is defined as the capacity to endure over time and making things last is at the very core of the green movement. While many conversations about sustainability are based around the materials, there is a social and aesthetic element as well. Will a project or product appeal to a wide cross-section of people over time? Will the design endure? 
This weekend I went to see the Chihuly Exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum - an amazing art exhibit in an amazing venue that represented this type of sustainability. In the early 1930's, a group of people had a vision to create a botanical preserve in the Dallas area. That vision grew into what is now the Dallas Arboretum. Their mission - "to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research", was taken to another level with the addition of the dramatic glass sculpture of this American artist. Spectacular and colorful pieces were nestled in the already breathtaking gardens drawing visitors to the beauty of nature as well as the sculptures. Despite the staggering heat, the arboretum was full of people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. The squeals of surprise and excitement from the youngest visitors to the quiet reverence of the more mature guests reminded me of the sustainability and importance of timeless beauty - both natural and man-made.
Nice post - your photos of the Chihuly exhibit rock! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete