Lithos

Lithos is a site-responsive sculpture that truly connects people with place. The piece uses natural materials of grey granite and local pine, transforming them to create a sculpture which draws out new playful interpretations of the landscape. The work takes the form of an interactive lithophone, which invites participation from the viewer. Sounds are played by simply striking the slabs with smaller rocks in the forest, or by knocking them by hand. This direct engagement with the piece provides a multi-sensory experience for users, releasing sounds of the earth deep into the forest and revealing unexpected qualities of geology. These aspects provide a meditative experience, deepening the connection between the viewer and the natural world.

Technical Details

Lithos, 2019

Authors: Natalia Bezerra & Kaitlin Ferguson
600 x 162 x 10 cm
Grey Antas Granite and Portuguese Pine
Fontelo Woods / 40.6597510, -7.8993330

Author's Word

Natalia Bezerra & Kaitlin Ferguson

Joining together established careers within Landscape Architecture and Public Art, the collaborative practice of Natalia Bezerra (USA) & Kaitlin Ferguson (GBR) combines their shared interests in site-responsive work which engages the viewer in direct conversation with the natural environment. Concerns about the ecological crisis are prominent themes in their work and the driving force behind their efforts in building bridges and connecting people back to the origins of the natural landscape. Collaborative methodologies were established during their time on the internationally respected post-graduate programme Art, Space + Nature at the University of Edinburgh. From there they have built a practice which explores the complex intersections between creative practice, spatial theory and environmental issues.

Natalia Bezerra
Born in Washington, D.C., USA, Natalia is a Landscape Artist and Designer currently based in Edinburgh, UK. She holds a Masters in Fine Art from the University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland (USA). Prior to completing her Master’s degree, she worked with communities on revitalization projects in Maryland, USA through the Chesapeake Conservation Service Corps. Her practice, which explores issues surrounding the perceived nature-culture divide, seeks to establish a dialogue between our actions and the natural environment to inspire social change for a more environmentally-conscious world. In 2018, she was awarded an Erasmus+ grant to live in eco-communities and develop site-specific work in response to the impacts of Climate Change in Andalucía, Spain. Her work has been exhibited in places such as the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Patriothall Gallery (Edinburgh), Tent Gallery (Edinburgh), and Dovecot Studios (Edinburgh). Her combined experiences in Landscape Architecture, Fine Art and Community Design have led to interdisciplinary approaches to placemaking which seek to connect people to their sense of place in the natural environment.

Kaitlin Ferguson
Born in California, USA, Kaitlin lives and works in Norwich, UK. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Norwich University of the Arts, graduating with a First Class Degree and later received her Masters from the University of Edinburgh after being awarded the Andrew Grant Scholarship. She has established a professional arts practice, spanning a decade, which adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the environment; through explorations in geology, ecology and the environmental humanities. In addition to this, she has designed a number of socially engaged community projects for diverse audiences and has taught on programmes for organizations such as the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettles Yard and the University of Cambridge. Career Highlights include: co-directing the short environmental film ‘Living in the Ruins’ which screened at the Edinburgh International Science Festival (Scotland, UK), exhibiting at the Edinburgh Festival (Scotland, UK), An Lanntair Gallery (Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK), Edinburgh Centre Centre for Carbon Innovation and being commissioned to design the site-specific public sculpture ‘Wave Maker’ for the Heritage Sculpture Trail (Norfolk, UK).

Localização

Mata do Fontelo
Viseu, Portugal
40.6597510, -7.8993330