(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Monmouth Arts invites the community to participate in the temporary public art installation, "Salt of the Earth", by local artist Gerda Liebmann at Convention Hall (1300 Ocean Ave.) on the boardwalk in Asbury Park on July 3 and 4. Gerda will create a beautiful and intricate pattern on the floor of Convention Hall over two days using simply a line of salt.
The public is invited to stop by to see the artist's work in progress, take pictures and videos, and even participate in the erasure of the piece on the second day. Gerda says, "For the Monmouth Arts public art installation, I want... viewers to experience community, having the unique bond of living at the shore. The salt expresses the connection of the people of the shore to the sea. Elevating salt to an artist's medium encourages audiences to find art all around them. Understanding that art is not only paintings hanging on a wall in a gallery can be a transformative experience." On July 4, viewers are invited to participate in the erasure of the salt installation at 7:00 pm, before the fireworks begin. "Viewers may walk over the intricate salt pattern. The erasure is part of the concept of the beauty of ephemerality."
Last year, after crowdfunding $1,800 for a public art project, Monmouth Arts put out a request for proposals from qualified public art artists across New Jersey for a permanent or temporary public art piece to be installed in Monmouth County. After submissions were received a panel of unaffiliated public art experts chose the project that best matched the goals and budget. The goals included public interaction in its production or function, to reach diverse audiences, and to encourage viewers to consider the role of art in the community. "In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts offers nearly $100,000 in ArtHelps Local Arts Program Grants annually to nonprofit arts groups and organizations that provide access to quality arts experiences in Monmouth County," says Danielle Acerra, Community Engagement Director at Monmouth Arts. "Through crowdfunding Monmouth Arts has had a unique opportunity to directly fund an individual artist's work, and we are so thankful for everyone who contributed to the campaign and helped to make this happen."
Gerda Liebmann has completed similar installations in New York City, China, and Thailand. "From past experience I have learned that an audience of passers-by gather around me, asking questions. The attraction is universal and appeals to old and young, men and women, and the hidden artist in all of us. People love watching an artist at work. They are fascinated by the simplicity of the medium (salt) and the intricacy of the pattern."
For more information on Gerda Liebmann's work, please visit www.gerdaliebmann.com
Monmouth Arts is a nonprofit organization and the official County Arts Agency formed in 1971 to enrich the community by inspiring and fostering the arts. The vision of Monmouth Arts is a vibrant arts community that enhances the quality of life throughout the county. Monmouth Arts supports artists and arts groups through networking and resources, ArtHelps Local Arts Program Grants, the MoCo Arts Corridor, the Monmouth Teen Arts Festival, and by highlighting arts performances and exhibitions throughout Monmouth County on monmoutharts.org and social media. Monmouth Arts' programs and the groups it supports serve over 700,000 people each year and bring over 2,600 arts events to Monmouth County.
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