The LF Stratum is Ready for it’s Debut!
Residents of Light Farms can now experience a second art installation by Texas born artist Nathan Randall Green. As part of a continued effort to integrate works of art by prominent artists with Texas ties into the community, this new piece marries art and function in a meaningful way. Best known for his use of bright, geometric pieces, Green’s first project for Light Farms was transforming a large shed into a mural featuring complex patterns and contrasting colors against the limitless stretch of the Texas sky and surrounding landscape. The now beloved artistic fixture in the community is accompanied by a second installation named The LF Stratum that once again turns the mundane into a modern work of art, as a tunnel is transformed into the unexpected.
Connected to our comprehensive trail network, the tunnel was built to provide easy and safe access for our residents to commute to school, the cafe, and the other amenities offered at Light Farms. Partnering with Green for this project was an obvious choice for the team at Light Farms following the success of the mural, but this project posed its own unique challenges and was of particular interest to the artist. “The proposition of painting a mural in a tunnel was particularly interesting to me for a few reasons.” said Green. “Usually when I create a work of art it is meant to be viewed all at once- it’s generally a single wall or an immersive room. This project let me think about viewers actually traversing through a space and creating an immersive experience for everyone that travels through the tunnel.”
The Artist’s Vision
When describing the tunnel, Green shared his vision and geological inspiration for the space. “The horizontal strips of color through the tunnel create a fun visual experience of forced one-point perspective that skews the viewers’ perception of depth. The tunnel also presented an opportunity to create a more complex and three dimensional work of art. I wanted the design of the tunnel interior to act as a cross section of each facade, and further emphasize the idea of layers of contiguous strata underneath our feet and the feeling of being subterranean.”
Why is art so important in a community like Light Farms? Incorporating art into people’s everyday experiences helps develop perspective and inspires us to see the world in new ways. “I hope the mural creates a more colorful experience of the everyday” says Green. “ My goal is to make works of art that are inviting and engaging for a wide audience and can be appreciated on many levels.” When asked about the importance of art within community, Green is adamant that it’s importance cannot be understated. “As an artist and art educator, I truly believe in the transformative power of art. Art creates a shared place that encourages curiosity, discovery, and reflection. It’s like a lens that brightens the rest of the world. I believe it can make us more sensitive, compassionate, tolerant, and fulfilled. I think art makes the world a more interesting place and I feel honored to be given a space to create art within the community.”
About the Artist
Nathan Randall Green was born in 1980 in Houston, TX and received his BFA in 2004 from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a founding member and partner of Okay Mountain Gallery and Collective. Nathan has most recently shown his work at Mulherin New York, Hus Gallery in London, Left Field in San Luis Obispo, CA, Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas, Tiger Strikes Asteroid in Philly, Art Palace Gallery in Houston, the Contemporary Art Museum Houston, Austin Museum of Art, and LVL3 in Chicago. Nathan has also participated in Artist-In-Residence programs in Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Michigan, Illinois, and Dallas. As a founding member of the Okay Mountain Collective, Nathan has recently presented new works at the Decordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Freight & Volume, New York, Prospect 1.5 New Orleans, University of Houston’s Blaffer Museum, the McNay Museum in San Antonio, Cress Gallery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Mark Moore Gallery in Los Angeles, California. Nathan lives and works in New York, New York.
