Agriculture and infrastructure are deeply intertwined. From food scarcity to climate change, these topics intersect to impact our everyday lives. Norwood Viviano’s Mapping Infrastructure / Mapping Agriculture exhibit at the Brunnier Art Museum portrays the correlation between agriculture and infrastructure through data-based glass sculptures.
Carly McCoy, museum security & education program assistant, explained the exhibition. “In the front gallery here, we have Norwood Viviano, and he combines technology, data collection and art to physically depict change,” McCoy said.
Viviano evaluates through his pieces the harmful impacts of industrialization on different communities.
“So, whether that’s like population change or climate change — these two pieces in the front area here are talking about climate change. Specifically, flooding and how cities will be underwater in the coming years,” McCoy said.
Originally from Michigan, University Museums commissioned Viviano to depict the history of agriculture and innovation at Iowa State University. The pieces also consider land change and the future of agricultural production in the state of Iowa.
Implementing a variety of techniques in his artistic process, Viviano begins with data collection and mapping through GIS (Geographic Information System), LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and photogrammetry. He then takes 3D prints and transforms them into glass-blown or cast art sculptures.
“He works a lot with glass,” McCoy said. “So, we have a glass model of the Farmhouse, which is really cool.”
Along with Farmhouse, Viviano also features the Agronomy Hall, highlighting two key landmarks at the university.
Throughout his time creating the project, Viviano has worked closely with faculty at Iowa State to create art that encapsulates the influence of technology on populations. He is scheduled to come back to the university in the coming weeks.
“He will be here in February to do an artist talk with Beth Lipman, who is an artist who has a show up right now at the Christian Peterson,” McCoy said. “They’re going to do an event at the library, for data visualization week.”
The exhibit is free and will be at Iowa State through July 24; more information can be found here.
