Unique art installation will illuminate UR’s Westhampton Lake

Argentinian artist Martin Bonadeo will unveil a special lighted art installation February 5th.

January 28, 2015; 9:15 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Martin Bonadeo, a guest artist from Argentina, will soon unveil a new installation at the University of Richmond.

“Reflection,” will light up the Tyler Haynes Commons overlooking Westhampton Lake on February 5th. During the event, which is free and open to the campus and general community, the artist will deliver a few brief remarks.

The event begins at 6:00 PM.

Bonadeo will install blue electroluminescent wires representing the shapes of rivers in Latin America on a window of the Commons building. The image on the window will be inverted, so the lights reflect right side up onto the lake. The image will flash as the sound of a lightning storm plays.

A native of Argentina and professor of Latin American and Argentine contemporary art at Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), a Richmond partner university in Buenos Aires, Bonadeo has taught courses at UR in the past as a visiting faculty member. He has a special interest in art that emphasizes the importance of rivers and water reserves.

“Westhampton Lake is one of UR’s landmarks, and I wanted to make a site specific art piece for the lake” said Bonadeo. “The idea of this project is to play around with the concept of water and its importance in our life.”

“Just as the stars, the piece will be bright at night and barely noticeable during daylight,” he added.

The artwork will remain up until February 11th. Bonadeo has another piece on display as part of the Anti-Grand, “Contemporary Perspectives on Landscape,” in the Harnett Museum of Art on campus as well.

Photo: Universidad Austral