New 'Guiding Light' at Artpark

Mural with ‘undulating, colorful abstract formations’ added to ‘Painted Parking Lot’

Article and Photos by Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

“A life without art, the world darkens around us. … It’s a guiding light.”

These words, reminding Artpark patrons of the power of art – visual, structural, textural, musical – were officially presented to the community on Saturday. They are part of “Guiding Light,” a colorful new installation at the foot of the Artpark Amphitheater staircase.

Artpark & Company officials welcomed the mural’s creators, Edreys and Alexa Wajed of Buffalo-based “Eat Off Art,” to a ceremony and Emerald Grove artist talk.

Edreys said the inspiration came, in part, from the song “Fall in Love” by Detroit hip-hop act Slum Village; and in part because “this is, obviously, where a lot of music takes place.”

“Music is usually what pushes my art,” he said of “Guiding Light,” which has an assortment of colors including shades of green, orange, pink, blue and red.

“I translate music and sound into shapes and colors. So, every instrument has a movement of its own, and it has a color of its own, as well. This is basically a composition of music.”

“The song is called ‘Fall in Love.’ This is just a small excerpt from the larger piece of full painting. So, it just felt like it was appropriate to be here, along with the lyrics of it, which is ‘fall in love. Love – we need much more and more in the world,’ type of deal.

“And then the haiku was original. The haiku was not in the song or lyrics; that was just imposed upon it, because, again, the importance of art.”

Edreys said, “There’s points of reference and connection, personal connection for me, and what music meant for me,” and noted he used to take summer trips to Flint, Michigan, to see family. “And then obviously placing it in this same vicinity and proximity to where music takes place every year, every season, at Artpark; and we felt like the movement in it spoke to what kind of takes place here.”

Artpark & Company President Dave Wedekindt said, “Edreys and Alexa Wajed of ‘Eat Off Art’ have been doing such great work in the region, so it’s long-overdue for their art to grace Artpark. It’s especially meaningful when we can engage artists from our Western New York community to create art here that will now be enjoyed by the 100,000-plus people who visit us annually.”

Of the installation process, Alexa explained, “We started in July of this year. It took us – because of the heat, because of the rain – it ended up taking us between 10 and 12 days. But it was actually a pretty easy one, despite the weather that we deal with in the sun.”

“It was pretty hot,” Edreys said.

“It was really hot!” Alexa said, laughing.

Though the artwork is outside – and we all know what’s coming, weather-wise, “We have a few things working in our favor,” Edreys said. “Right now, I think it's facing north; so, the sun's not going to be the main element that beats it up and weathers it. Obviously, we're going to get rain; we're going to get snow and those things; but the sun is usually what starts to really impact the vibrancy of colors and things of that nature. It's pretty much in the shade all day, which is good.

“We always use high-quality materials. We use outdoor, acrylic, water-based paints. We also use aerosols and spray paint. We also primed. We went through all the measures in order to make sure the adhesion has a long duration.”

Alexa said the mural will be sealed with a material to protect the art from both UV rays and graffiti.

“Guiding Light” is situated on a cement wall at the end of parking lot C (the “Painted Parking Lot”). It is accessible via the lower park entrance off South Fourth Street.

Artpark & Company noted, “The latest mural added to the Artpark campus was made possible with the kind and bold support of the Grigg Lewis Foundation and Parks and Trails NY.”

“Eat Off Art” previously partnered with Lewiston’s Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen for events including the Rhythm & Roots festival.

For those who want to learn more, it’s “Everything ‘Eat Off Art,’ ” Alexa said. “That's the website, that's the email, that's all the socials and YouTube.

“Our mission is artists, educators, entrepreneurs, working together to build a more empathetic community. One thing we ask of everyone is just tap into your own intuition and creativity and find that guiding light where you can really inspire and embrace others.”

The mural ceremony and artist talkback was part of a busy day at Artpark – one that began with the fourth annual “Better Off Read” book festival, and ended with a performance of the “Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking For Trouble Tour” inside the Mainstage Theater.

Artpark & Company has several more events scheduled before the season concludes at month’s end. For more information, or for tickets, visit www.artpark.net.

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PHOTOS

'Guiding Light'

Edreys Wajed said his art is inspired by music.

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At “Better Off Read.”