George Trakasis a sculptor who was born inQuebec Cityin 1944 and has lived inNew York Citysince 1963. Many of his projects aresite-specificinstallations, and he describes himself as anenvironmental sculptor.He often recycles local materials and incorporates them into his work.[1][2]Trakas taught sculpture atYale Universityfor 13 years and has also taught at other schools.[3]
George Trakas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1944 (age 79–80) Quebec City,Quebec,Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian and American |
| Education | New York University,B.S., 1969 |
| Known for | Environmental Sculptor |
| Spouse | |
Education and honours
editTrakas graduated fromSir George Williams UniversityinMontrealand then went on to earn abachelor's degreein art history atNew York Universityin 1969.[1]He received aGuggenheim Fellowshipin 1982,[4]aNational Endowment for the ArtsFellowship in 1989, and theAmerican Academy of Arts and LettersMedal for Sculpture in 1996.[5]Emory Universityawarded him anhonorary doctoratein 2011.[3]He also won the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists award (2017).[6]
Personal life
editGeorge Trakas marriedSusan Rothenberg,a painter, in 1971. Their daughter Maggie was born in 1972. They divorced in 1979 but remained close until Rothenberg's death in 2020.[7]
Works
editNotable recent examples of Trakas's work include a waterfront nature walk at theNewtown Creek Wastewater Treatment PlantinBrooklyn,New York;another waterfront installation adjacent to theDia:Beaconmuseum inBeacon, New York;and public art in theNew York City Subwayat theAtlantic Avenue – Barclays Centerstation.[8][9]
The following table contains a partial list of works by George Trakas.[10]
| Title | Location | Description | Year | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pont Épée | Thiers,France | Set of walkways and bridges on the Durolle river next to the "Creux-de-l'enfer" | 1985 | [11] |
| Beacon Point | Beacon, New York | Angling deck, boardwalk, & restored bulkhead in Long Dock Park on a 25-acre peninsula adjacent toDia:Beaconmuseum | 2007 | [8] |
| The pathway of love | Santomato, Pistoia | A path made of iron and wood that crosses a romantic forest alongside a stream | 1982 | [12] |
| Shoreline Nature Walkway | Brooklyn,New York | Nature walk adjacent to theNewtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant | 2007 | [13] |
| Hook (Archean Reach), Line (Sea House), and Sinker (Mined Swell) | Brooklyn,New York | Public sculpture inside theAtlantic Avenue–Barclays Center stationof theNew York City Subway | 2004 | [9] |
| Reconnections | Belmullet, Ireland | Footbridge across a canal inCounty Mayothat has since been replaced | 1993 | [14][15] |
| Self Passage | Humlebæk, Denmark | Site-specific sculpture leading to a waterside platform, in theLouisiana Museum of Modern Art's sculpture park. | 1989 | [15][16] |
| Berth Haven | Seattle, Washington | A cedar and steel lakeside deck on the premises of anNOAAfacility. Rests on foundations remaining from the site’s prior use as navy airfield. | 1983 | [17][18] |
| Route Source | Atlanta, Georgia | Site-specific sculpture in a wooded area of theEmory Universitycampus | 1979 | [19][20] |
Gallery
edit-
The "pont Epée" inThiers. -
Newtown Creek Nature Walk: "Vessel" entrance -
Newtown Creek Nature Walk: Whale Creek, sewage plant in distance -
Newtown Creek Nature Walk: steps into the water -
Beacon Point,view of entire site, looking westward towardNewburgh, NY. -
Beacon Point,looking northward, showing mouth of channel that runs through the piece. -
Beacon Point,looking eastward, showing other end of the channel. -
Linesculpture in the former control house of the Atlantic Avenue station.
References
edit- ^ab"Summit NYC 2011: George Trakas".Municipal Art Society.
- ^"George Trakas".New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.Retrieved6 November2013.
- ^ab"Art History (newsletter)"(PDF).Emory University Department of Art History. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 11 November 2013.Retrieved6 November2013.
- ^"George Trakas".John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.Archived fromthe originalon 11 November 2013.Retrieved6 November2013.
- ^"Award-winning installation artist George Trakas to discuss Hudson River environmental project, Wednesday, April 18, 2007".Vassar College.Retrieved6 November2013.
- ^"George Trakas:: Foundation for Contemporary Arts".www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org.Retrieved2018-04-19.
- ^Kennedy, Randy (21 May 2020)."Susan Rothenberg, Acclaimed Figurative Painter, Dies at 75".New York Times.Retrieved1 June2020.
- ^ab"George Trakas, Beacon Point".Dia Art Foundation. Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2013.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^ab"Arts for Transit and Urban Design".Metropolitan Transportaition Authority.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^Complete works
- ^France, Centre."Diable, 30 ans! - Que reste-t-il du Symposium national de sculpture monumentale métallique organisé en 1985 à Thiers?".www.lamontagne.fr.Retrieved2019-01-03.
- ^"The path of love".Fattoria di Celle.Retrieved1 June2020.
- ^"George Trakas at the Water's Edge: Newtown Creek".Urban Omnibus.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"Reconnections".Tír Sáile Sculpture Trail.Retrieved28 March2024.
- ^ab"Parc naturel régional du Pilat"(PDF)(in French). art 3.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"The Sculpture Park".Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2013.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"NOAA Western Service Center Art Walk"(PDF).City of Seattle. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 November 2013.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"Soundscapes".building beyond.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"Environmental artist Trakas returns to Emory".Emory University. Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2013.Retrieved5 November2013.
- ^"George Trakas" Source Route "".Emory University. Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2013.Retrieved5 November2013.