{"product_id":"earth-to-sky","title":"Earth to Sky","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEarth to Sky, \u003c\/em\u003e2020\u003cbr\u003eStone, steel\u003cbr\u003e2550 x 180 x 180mm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eInspired by playing with river stones in the Kerikeri River when he was a child, Chris Booth began to make land art in the form of large scale boulder columns in 1973. \u003cem\u003eGateway\u003c\/em\u003e in Albert Park, Auckland and \u003cem\u003eRainbow Warrior Memorial, \u003c\/em\u003eMatauri Bay, Northland are the most well known of these sculptures.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eOver 40 years later, \u003cem\u003eEarth to Sky \u003c\/em\u003edemonstrates this essense of collecting and stacking stones, but this time on a smaller scale. In 1997, Booth gathered river and sea worn stones with his late friend and Kai Tahu Whanui kaumatua, Maurice Nutira, from Taumutu, Canterbury, South Island. As Booth recalls: “\u003cem\u003eHe was my kaumatua at Lincoln University when I created Te Paepaetapu o Rakaihautu for Lincoln University (which he named with the head of the Centre for Maori Studies and Research, Maurice Gray), and the Christchurch Seattle Sister City sculpture, Taurapa, in central Christchurch.” Earth to Sky \u003c\/em\u003eis the only other and last sculpture made from these stones gathered back in 1997.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e The result is a assemblage of 90 smooth river stones stacked in an elegant column. Using stones of varying density and volume, there is the impression of an organic and idiosyncratic collection, but they are unified in their restful tones of ash, sand and slate, forming an earthy palette. Nestled within surroundings of neighbouring ferns, nikau palms and lilypads, the structure is subtle and unassuming. Though it stands unwavering, there is the impression that the stones are simply balanced there, and could easily sway in the breeze or tumble to the earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e Spending longer with the sculpture and walking around it, there is an increased sense of movement within the form, with indications of twisting, turning, tipping and leaning. One feels the presence of the column, its connection to the earth and representation of a local geography - all of which are central to Booth’s work. As curator and art writer Ken Scarlett writes in ‘Woven Stone: The Sculpture of Chris Booth,’ \u003cem\u003e“In spite of the perils of globalisation, with its potential to homogenise us all, Chris Booth adheres to and nurtures a unique personal vision. Stone - that ancient material - comes alive again in his hands.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"brick-bay-2024","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49740382667051,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/2822\/0459\/files\/image-asset_4781f3db-8883-4afd-8ce3-168723acb5bd.jpg?v=1729463297","url":"https:\/\/www.brickbay.co.nz\/products\/earth-to-sky","provider":"Brick Bay","version":"1.0","type":"link"}