SOLARIAN
Brass, Concrete, LED Screen
During the day, the middle of the artwork features a NASA stop motion animation of actual sun flares, while at night, the artwork transitions into an image of the moon. The transition times of sunset and sunrise feature a special half-hour show that maintains real-time rotations. The image of the moon is an accurate portrayal of the night’s current phase, illuminated by color-changing orbs.
The title “Solarion” joins “Solar” and “Lion,” inspired by the solar emblem in the College’s logo and Roscoe, the College’s lion mascot. In mythology and lore, there has always been a connection between the sun gods and the lion as symbols of strength and will. The sun and the moon are also entwined, as the light of the moon is actually light from the sun reflecting off of the moon.
Kate Kaman and Joel Erland are Philadelphia based artists. They work in a variety of materials. As they are interested in creating contemporary environmental works, their work usually draws inspiration from the natural world.
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and The New Jersey State Council On The Arts (NJSCA) requested artists from across the USA to submit qualifications. We received submissions from 172 artists in July, 2015. Our artist selection committee, including representatives from students, faculty, staff, the TCNJ Board of Trustees, the art gallery, campus planning, the architect of record, and the NJSCA shortlisted 10 artists to participate in the RFP process.
The winning artists, Kate Kaman & Joel Erland, were approved at the February 2016 Board of Trustee meeting. The building renovation has been completed and the artwork has been installed.
For more information on Arts Inclusion, please visit the TCNJ arts web page: https://tcnjartgallery.tcnj.edu/art-on-campus/
And the New Jersey State Council for the Arts web page: http://nj.gov/state/njsca/dos_njsca_programs.html