ACADEMY FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING
The Academy for the Love of Learning is a non-profit organization conceived by American composers Aaron Stern and Leonard Bernstein. The Academy was incorporated as a 501(c)3 in 1998. Its campus is located in southeast Santa Fe, NM, on the former estate of Ernest Thompson Seton. Through its programming and research, the Academy seeks to "awaken, enliven, nurture and sustain the natural love of learning in people of all ages.”
STUPA AT THE ACADEMY FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING
Covering 2 acres on the Academy Grounds. A stupa is a Buddhist shrine used for meditation. One circumambulates the stupa several times as a practice. A form of a walking meditation. You do not enter the stupa. It is sealed and consists of three chambers, filled with hundreds of thousands of relics. The stupa and pathways took 7 years to complete, so we could gather all the materials contained inside the stupa and to respect Buddhist tradition.
ACADEMY GROUNDS
WATER FEATURE AT THE ACADEMY FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING
In the main building’s two story lobby, I built a two sided water feature. The water feature pierces through part of the second story, allowing the water to flow through to the first floor. It consists of hand made and hand cut porcelain mosaics. Each side is 24 ft high, 8 ft wide, and 12 in deep with side walls made of stainless steel. The water feature was installed using a 1 degree slope, so the water will fall down the walls gently and not splash out on the floor.
RUINS REIMAGINED - SETON CASTLE
Seton Castle on the Academy for the Love of Learning grounds. The Castle had a devastating fire in November of 2005. Rather than tear down the stone remains, we decided to preserve the castle as “a ruin reimagined”. A contemplative space for performance and reflection. We had to structurally support the stone walls, built an interior concrete staircase and rebuilt the portal on the west side of the castle in steel, instead of wood, the material used in the original portal. The concrete staircase and steel portal served to support the 2 story high wall. In addition, all 4 sided openings in the stone walls, that were previously doors and windows were framed in steel for added structural support. Some new vigas were added in the Seton library to support the 2 parallel walls in that room. The stucco was reinforced with fiberglass for added strength and support. We added a steel wall on the stage as a backdrop for performance and selected plantings throughout the spaces.
LA HOUSE AND GARDEN
I worked on a number of site specific sculptures for a house in LA. On an acre of land, I worked with the owner, architect and landscape architect, to create spaces for reflection and inspiration: both in the house and on the property.
Some pieces showcased here:
Glass piece, 18” high x 18” wide and 3” deep. Backlit from a translucent light source.
Porcelain spire in a bamboo grove 6’ high x 4” wide x 2” deep
Powder coated and welded aluminum sculpture. 3 ½’ high x 4’ wide x 2 1/2’ deep.
VENICE BEACH GARDEN
Venice is a tightly packed community with many small lots. The owner of this house wanted a quiet and peaceful spot protected by fencing and vegetation.
The water feature is basalt and provides a 24 hour flow of water.
6’ long x 18” wide x 18” deep
Fountain1
