Paula Hayes 'Bird Bath'

My first post was not the most technical and probably was not the most elegant critical analysis of the art.  It was more than anything a chance to post on an artist I already know and appreciate and give a pretty shallow (yeah, I dismissed a painting because of a forehead, what?) personal critique.  I'm going to try and delve a little deeper into this critique/examination.  Although, I might have chosen a pretty difficult piece to do that with seeing as how it's already an everyday object.  I have chosen a work by Paula Hayes entitled 'Bird Bath'.

2009. Custom-formed acrylic, 24 x 18 x 30 1/2" (61 x 45.7 x 77.5 cm). The subject of the piece is a very nontraditional bird bath in an asymmetrical organic shape within a verdant, lush garden. Paula Hayes created the sculpture from acrylic which in this case is translucent and giving off a soft glow.
 Despite being a man made material, it has a light and diaphanous quality that seems to harmonize with its natural surroundings perhaps better than any stone bird bath ever has.   I'm almost certain that though this piece looks very at home in this natural setting, it would have a completely different feeling in a sterile museum or gallery space to the point that I'm not sure I would believe that it would work in a garden.  For this reason I think that viewing the piece in the context of a natural, verdant environment is critical to the organic, natural theme of the piece.  It is also important to note that outside of the garden space that the artist has created is full on metropolitan development (NYC).  I think that the works juxtaposition with it's greater surroundings is also significant to the pieces power to impress upon the viewer.

Paula Hayes is known for her organic, natural, art. Literally using living plants and animals (tropical fish) as pieces in her art work.  She wants life (nature) to not just be something that is represented in art but something that the viewer should actively be involved in.  She is well known for her terrariums, gardens, and aquarium installations. 

My personal critique of her work is that it is calming, and beautiful.  It's fascinating and inherently dynamic because it is in part comprised of living beings.  Her use of light is reminiscent of light filtering through pools of water, bouncing off glaciers, or even glowing from florescent marine creatures. Paula Hayes invites the viewer to not necessarily have a specific view or idea about nature, but to consider it at least.  I think it is a powerful way to make people aware without lecturing, condemning, or preaching.

                                                                       
This video showcases the installation of a 260 gallon salt water aquarium and succulent planter in the lobby of the Lever House building in NYC.  Amazing cast acrylic aquarium!