PNE
REVISION
ART PROJECT

 

For the PNE’s end-of-summer festival, I was commissioned to create three large-scale art installations exploring themes of sustainability, zero waste, and energy conservation. One of these pieces included a live performance art element, allowing festival goers to witness the sculpture’s creation in real-time. I chose to recreate Breaking Wave, an impactful piece originally built for Burning Man in 2012 from reclaimed driftwood. Highlighting ocean pollution from wood waste, the original Breaking Wave was burned in front of thousands at Burning Man. For the PNE, I collaborated with James Deane—one of the original architects—and a team of 20 volunteers to construct this new version live over five days, using local wood waste.


The second installation was a striking 16-foot-high sign reading Waste Not, crafted from plastic discards and waste aluminum. My collaborator, Willie Kushner, infused this piece with his visionary touch, making it an impactful statement on zero waste. The final piece, SolarPunk Ikebana, was a metal flower arrangement symbolizing energy conservation, illuminated at night by stored solar power to create a vibrant, eco-conscious display.

 
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Breaking Wave 2.0
Breaking Wave 2.0

The replicated Breaking Wave was brought to life as a performance art installation at the PNE, inviting visitors to witness its creation firsthand. Constructed on-site by a team of volunteers using locally-sourced driftwood, this reimagined sculpture highlighted themes of sustainability and ocean conservation. Originally conceptualized for Burning Man to draw attention to ocean pollution from wood waste, Breaking Wave served as both an art piece and an environmental statement, allowing spectators to engage with the process of transforming reclaimed materials into a monumental work.

Breaking Wave
Breaking Wave

The replicated Breaking Wave was brought to life as a performance art installation at the PNE, inviting visitors to witness its creation firsthand. Constructed on-site by a team of volunteers using locally-sourced driftwood, this reimagined sculpture highlighted themes of sustainability and ocean conservation. Originally conceptualized for Burning Man to draw attention to ocean pollution from wood waste, Breaking Wave served as both an art piece and an environmental statement, allowing spectators to engage with the process of transforming reclaimed materials into a monumental work.

Breaking Wave (and I)
Breaking Wave (and I)

I helped create and burn the original “Breaking Wave” at Burning Man in 2012. Replicating the “Breaking Wave” let me reinforce the important message of the original in a new setting.

Waste Not
Waste Not

Standing 16 feet tall within the PNE park grounds, the Waste Not sign was a striking visual statement designed by my friend Willie Kushner. Created from an assortment of plastic discards and waste aluminum, this towering installation embodied the festival’s theme of zero waste. The bold configuration and recycled materials conveyed a powerful message about conservation and responsible consumption, making Waste Not a memorable and impactful feature of the event.

Waste Not
Waste Not

Standing 16 feet tall within the PNE park grounds, the Waste Not sign was a striking visual statement designed by my friend Willie Kushner. Created from an assortment of plastic discards and waste aluminum, this towering installation embodied the festival’s theme of zero waste. The bold configuration and recycled materials conveyed a powerful message about conservation and responsible consumption, making Waste Not a memorable and impactful feature of the event.

SolarPunk Ikebana
SolarPunk Ikebana

SolarPunk Ikebana was a metal flower arrangement that embodied the theme of energy conservation. Powered by stored solar energy, the installation illuminated at night, casting a warm, vibrant glow. This sustainable aesthetic symbolized the harmony between nature and technology, capturing the vision of a greener, more energy-conscious future.