Gala
opening showcases the merger of art and science
Art
and science merged Friday night in "One Enchanted Evening at
Quark Park."
There, Princeton Plasma
Physics Laboratory Director Robert Goldston discussed the
aesthetics of a giant, pink Styrofoam plasma — part of the
"Stellarator" installation inspired by the fusion energy
experiments at the lab.
Meanwhile, his
partner on the creation, sculptor Rein Triefeldt, effortlessly
explained the fusion process.
"It hadn't
crossed my mind that you could make a giant Styrofoam plasma,"
Mr. Goldston said, laughing. "I see a lot of equations and
Rein sees something with a shape to it that's
beautiful."
Along with a number of other
scientists, artists, landscapers and community members, the
pair was on hand to celebrate the new sculpture garden at a
gala opening fundraiser catered by
Mediterra.
As music played and workers
put the finishing touches on the park, the once-vacant lot
along Paul Robeson Place — donated by Palmer Square Management
— came to life.
"It feels great," said
Kevin Wilkes, as he looked around the park he developed along
with Peter Soderman and Alan
Goodheart.
Dressed for the occasion in a
Quark Park T-shirt, Mr. Wilkes lauded the generosity of the
artists and scientists, along with numerous area residents and
organizations. These include pharmaceutical giant
Bristol-Myers Squibb, which recently made a $10,000 donation
to support the park. Their generosity will help fund an
outdoor amphitheater that will house events in the coming
months, Mr. Wilkes said.
Standing in a
sea of delicate glass bubbles, Princeton University Professor
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Naomi Leonard praised
the educational aspect of the
endeavor.
"It's a nice way to make
science accessible to larger audiences," she
said.
The bubbles, created by glass
artist Bob Kuster, hearken to the underwater research
conducted by Professor Leonard. A suspended school of fish and
a miniature fleet of robots offer an additional artistic nod
to her emphasis on how things both natural and engineered
respond to the movements of others around
them.
Those on a visit to Quark Park may
learn from the experience, but the accomplished intellectuals
and artists involved also found their minds stretched by the
collaboration.
The chance to brainstorm
with artists was an education in and of itself, Professor
Leonard said. Pointing out the way a dolphin-shaped blue atlas
cedar lent an underwater feel to the installation, she said
she had never before considered the artistic use of plants to
convey a certain mood or ambience.
Beyond
its educational merits, Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis
Marchand praised the way in which the park united people
throughout the community. Though she lauded all of the
installations, she admitted to having a soft spot in her heart
for "Sundial," thanks to her longstanding relationships with
its creators. Crafted by her longtime friend and Institute for
Advanced Study Professor Emeritus Freeman Dyson, the sculpture
also tapped into the talents of her congressman and colleague
— scientist and member of the House of Representatives Rush
Holt (D-12).
Furthermore, the architect
on the project, Allan Kehrt of KSS Architects, designed
Township Hall, she said, adding that landscape architect Dan
Burke and Charlie Yedlin of Yedlin Construction have long been
valuable members of the
community.
"They're all very giving and
active in Princeton," she said.
Their
installation seemed to capture her mind along with her heart
as she launched into a discussion about the merits of Daylight
Saving Time.
"I hadn't thought of it as
human-manipulated time," she said. "I'm learning,
too."
The park, which contains 14
installations, will be open to the public and illuminated
daily until 11 p.m. throughout the fall season.
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