Installing Adventure with Lara Whitley
Local artist Lara Whitley has an exciting installation debuting at this year’s 5Point Film Festival later this month. We had the opportunity to learn what makes her tick and more importantly, what inspires her to create.
Photo by Olive & West
Tell us about the project you're working on for 5Point Film Festival. How did it come about?
“About two years ago, when I was working in the forest on an installation for the Aspen Space Station, an idea dropped in to make flags — something I had never done before. At the time, I was developing two projects with glass I was foraging from old dumping grounds. It was a beautiful material, but heavy and my practice involved me personally hauling 4,000 pieces of glass trash out of a ravine, carrying it home, washing, sorting and drilling it. That was all preamble to actually making things with it. It was tiring! I think I was subconsciously hoping for a clean, lightweight material to build with. I follow my curiosity pretty much wherever it leads me. Thankfully, it’s no longer leading me into a ravine.”
Photo by Olive & West
A lot of your projects come about from your experience in the outdoors, and a lot of your materials are repurposed, tell us more about that.
“Nature is definitely my starting point. I think of it as source, teacher and canvas to my art-making, and my life. Respecting all that I receive from my time in the natural world, I want to reciprocate. For me, that looks like finding joy in the materials I encounter. Rather than using precious natural resources to buy new materials, I use what I come across, harvest or crowd-source. All of the camping tents used to make Field Signs have been donated by the community. Of course I have to buy some stuff, like the thread and hardware for this project, but I try to keep it minimal. These “limitations" fuel my creativity. And besides, waste is just weird, especially when there’s so much potential all around us.”
“Forrest Spiral” at Beyul Retreat
Can you share any memorable experiences or interactions with the community regarding your art and/or creative process?
“With my work, I’m trying to transform waste into contemplative space. When someone experiences one of my works and feels the peace and joy I am trying to convey, it’s pretty special. One day last year, I met a couple and, upon learning my name, they told me they had just gone to visit one of my installations for their wedding anniversary. I was so touched and humbled that they had driven two hours round trip to spend their anniversary with something I made — and to have met folks who love art, nature and adventure as much as I do.”
When you're not in the studio, where might we find you or what might you be doing?
“One thing I love about being an artist, is I will never have to retire. But I do have to pay the bills! So, I have a lot of hustles to contribute to the economic engine of our family. Other than that, I’m outside as much as I can. I love all kinds of roaming with my husband, our two grown boys and our dog. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that I like to get into the backcountry, so Field Signs taps into the nostalgia I have for family camping adventures.”