1% for Art, University of NE Medical Center, CORE Building
Campus Operations and Research Excellence
by Christopher James Kull on February 2nd 2025
[All content was also submitted on Nebraska Arts Council‘s SlideRoom]
LobBY & coRRidor
The best science and inventions we have are often from mimicking how nature is already achieving what we want to achieve, but in a different scenario. Plants, Earth, Animals, Humans, the Atmosphere, the Stars… the all encompassing nature. In this are the visuals containing movements, actions, and processes from which everything can build off of. I currently have 4 concepts in mind.
Initially I started on a path of combining visual cues from Art & Science as indicated in the project description. Using fantastic close-ups of human cells painted in brilliant colors sounds good. Or painting a large diagram of a cell, or a DNA helix, a Brain, or the Heart. While all of those are great and right on as far as combining the literal Arts & Sciences. They are also expected, and have become kind of ordinary visually for Art & Science. But if this space is to be an incubator with Scientists, Inventors, Students, Faculty, Researchers and Collaborators. The more profound might be what is not obvious.
While brainstorming the just mentioned human cell and other ideas. My brain kept going back to several of my not chosen visual ideas I submitted for the Westbrook Music Building. Ideas centered around nature would be a better fit for the live/work balance in the Edge district.
The final created piece for each concept will be an Oil Painting, painted in an Fauvist, Expressionistic style with some Abstract elements as well. So the realism that exists in these currently with photos, would be replaced with a creative piece that lets the viewer imagine their own unique storyline behind the art.
Milky Way Sky with Bicycle Rider combines the vast Milky Way night sky as seen from Nebraska, with a person riding their bike along the wide open scene. Our DNA is said to be made up of stardust, so maybe the clue for solving a problem inside of us, is out there. When looking at the night sky there are endless possibilities for your mind to wander with imagination. And then the simple yet ingenious invention of the human-made bicycle. Inspirational with simplicity of function and parts. The additional message is, the bicycle is powered by reusable human kinetic energy.
The 2nd concept Flowers and Honey Bees, starts with a field of flowers and grasses. Obviously Flowers are beautiful, but also calming and can often result in the beginnings of a smile when encountered on a walk. Exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen back and forth with humans, these natural filtration systems are an inspiration. And what natural benefits within plants are still yet undiscovered. Several Honey Bees will be buzzing around on an amazing pollinating mission that life could not do without. Putting on their chef’s hat, these tiny superheroes then turn the flower’s nectar into Honey, and the honey into Beeswax.
The inspiration in the 3rd concept Sailing with Wind is wind and water. In this scene on Nebraska’s human-made Lake McConaughy, sailboats are gracefully gliding over the water with natural reusable energy sources, wind and water waves pushing them along. No fuel or plug needed to take advantage of the natural flow of energy. Looking at scenes of wide open water with its opposing powers for prosperity and destruction are awe-inspiring. This concept uses the human-made sailboat for the same reason as the bicycle. The simplicity of its function and parts is inspirational.
The 4th concept Origami CORE is taking a different approach to the art. The origami-like shape is made by lines connecting the 5 words “Campus Operations and Research Excellence”. This art is centered around that text and the acronym CORE. Emphasizing this building and giving the viewer a sense of place and connection. Repeating an element from the 1st concept, is the Milky Way sky behind the origami shape. As with the other concepts, there is no straightforward picture of Art & Science, but the art and science are there.
If I have the great opportunity of being a finalist for this project, I will develop one of these concepts at or close to full-size depending on the wall size. The goals for the visuals I’m submitting are to enhance the UNMC CORE Building, and to give each viewer a sense of pride, be welcoming, and be inspirational. Each painting will include text with the building’s name, “University of Nebraska Medical Center CORE Building”.
Christopher James Kull
Artist, Oil Painter, Muralist, Dreamer
February 2nd 2025