Grove of Light

Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan’s collaboration as an artist team over the last nine years has fostered a wide range of innovative site-specific public art commissions and plans. Their Seattle-based studio, Haddad|Drugan LLC , specializes in conceptually driven site-specific art that is often integrated into large-scale infrastructure projects, but also includes temporary installations. Past and current work includes art for storm water utility and transportation projects, libraries, and urban plazas and parks. Laura Haddad is an artist and landscape architect, with a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from U.C. Berkeley and a Bachelor’s degree in history from Bowdoin College. Her background also includes jewelry and stage set design. Tom Drugan holds dual registrations in architecture and landscape architecture. He received a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Colorado. His background includes sustainable building and filmmaking. Haddad and Drugan have taught at Rhode Island School of Design and University of Washington. Their training in architecture and landscape architecture helps them to successfully translate artistic concepts to large scales, respond to contextual conditions, and integrate ecological processes and into their work.

Grove of Light is a kinetic, interactive sculpture that reflects the many seasons of Edmonton’s River Valley. The facets of the 12 stainless steel stalks are treated with a variety of finishes to catch, absorb, refract, and reflect light and the surroundings. Because of their height and the thinness of their tops, the wind moves the stalks to create shimmering and bouncing light as the sky and environment reflect from all around. They can also be moved by hand, transferring a person’s energy into the artwork. Both wind and human-created motion create dynamic visual effects and playful reflectivity with the changing sky-scape and environment. The sky contributes a cinematographic effect with moving clouds, storms, and sunlight throughout Edmonton’s long summer days, dramatically changing Spring and Autumn, and cold white Winters.