C.O.P.E.
This project started when I was inspired by an online course. The course “transforming your creative ideas into personal projects” was taught by Ji Lee. Ji is the creative Director of FaceBook & Instagram and his personal projects are well known (see his page https://pleaseenjoy.com)
In June of 2019, along with a small team brought the #colorfulcanopysyr project to life at the previous Wildflowers Armory location. The temporary installation brought hundreds of people from the area to the small urban pocket alley next to the shop for photos and videos and more! It was named ‘best selfie 🤳 spot in CNY’ by local news. And since has been part of a larger project where cities all over the world participate.
I knew I had a pile of umbrellas left over from the canopy project, so I opened the closet up, grabbed them counted them up, organized & “de-handled” them.
I wanted to do something different with them instead of stringing them up, so I planted them like flowers. The project grew out of a need to create something that may add joy or a vibrant splash of color into otherwise plain or routine spaces. The de-handled umbrellas stuck into the ground offer uninterrupted panoramic views of the Mighty Salt City. So I used color theory to enhance the message behind the installation:
Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure & appetite.
Red represents COURAGE.
Pink is intuitive and insightful, showing tenderness and kindness with its empathy and sensitivity.
Pink represents HOPE.
Yellow is the most luminous of all the colors of the spectrum. It’s the color that captures our attention more than any other color. It’s the color of happiness, and optimism, of enlightenment and creativity, sunshine and spring. Yellow represents HAPPINESS.
Burgundy, named for the French region of wine-making, shows unconventional thinking, a desire for being unique and self expression. It can increase your energy, like red. Burgundy represents COMFORT.
Then pointed them towards the hospitals on the hill as a reminder of: Courage. Hope. Happiness. Comfort.
PRESS
Art in the time of coronavirus: Umbrellas planted at Syracuse parks aim to spread joy - Syracuse.com
UMBRELLA MAN - KARENTASH.COM
Umbrella reflections coffee mug (11 oz.) white ceramic mug. Dishwasher safe.
@lisakanephotographer image documenting the C.O.P.E. project
Last installment 2020, in the prayer garden at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
OTHER INSTALLATIONS
