Public Art of the Week

Two Michigan State University artists decided to “light the night” on the MSU campus with their unique immersive art installation by attaching two 4-foot-long LED tubes to each of 43 trees at the northeast corner of Trowbridge and Harrison roads.

The Christo-like installation was meant to further discussion about land management and use, said Hailey Becker, who collaborated on the project with Patrick Taylor, an MSU fine arts graduate.  Christo was a Bulgarian-American artist who created large-scale, site-specific, ephemeral art installations like a 25-mile fence across the California Coast.

The title of the installation was borrowed from a lyric penned by the late musician Leonard Cohen for the song “Anthem.”

Hailey said the project was a perfect fit for her dual Ph.D. program in forestry and fine arts.

More than 150 trees are marked for removal, some more than 60 years old. The site will be part of the new Spartan Gateway District development, which includes an arena, hotel, housing and other amenities.

The installation, called “Where the Light Gets In: Honoring Trees in Shifting Places,” uses the LED lights to create the appearance of light piercing the trees. Hailey said the installation was complex and works off the pedestrian light system in the area. It required 2,000 feet of electrical cable buried in hand-dug trenches. The lights are triggered by pedestrians starting at 8 p.m. The exhibit lasts through April.

Hailey said art installations reflecting public intervention were started in the 1970s at part of the land art movement.

A closing reception for the public is planned for 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 25. It will include a self-guided tour and the release of a hand-assembled book.

BILL CASTANIER

Public Art of the Week is a new feature that rotates with Eyesore of the Week. If you have an idea for either, please email eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call (517) 999-6704.