Exploring the Exquisite Cie Hoover’s Bonnaroo Sculpture

Cie Hoover

Written by Resolute Timbers

October 11, 2024

In the bustling halls of Nashville International Airport, a new artistic marvel has taken flight. Suspended from the skylights, catching the sun’s rays and casting enchanting shadows, Cie Hoover’s “Infinite Crescendos” sculpture series brings a touch of music, magic, and sustainable artistry to travelers from around the world. This awe-inspiring installation, crafted from the innovative Accoya wood, marks a harmonious blend of artistic vision and cutting-edge materials.

The Visionary Artist: Cie Hoover

Nestled in the picturesque town of Ouray, Colorado, artist Cie Hoover has long been recognized for his ability to create installations that not only captivate the eye but also resonate with their surroundings. Hoover’s artistic journey is one of constant exploration, pushing the boundaries of form, material, and space.

Hoover’s work is characterized by its organic forms, often drawing inspiration from the natural world and the rhythms of music. His sculptures seem to dance in the air, inviting viewers to pause and contemplate the interplay of light, shadow, and form. It’s this unique ability to transform spaces that caught the attention of Nashville Airport’s curators, leading to the commission of “Infinite Crescendos.”

“Infinite Crescendos”: A Symphony in Wood

The centerpiece of Hoover’s installation at Nashville Airport is “Infinite Crescendos,” a playful and mesmerizing composition that marries two distinct elements: the iconic Bonnaroo infinity logo and Hoover’s renowned “Crescendo” sculpture series.

The Concept

The installation consists of three spirals, each cascading gracefully from the airport’s skylights. When viewed from below, these spirals align to create a perfect triangle of circles, a visual representation of harmony and continuity. This geometric precision is not just aesthetically pleasing; it’s laden with symbolism.

The infinity symbol, borrowed from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival’s logo, represents endless possibilities and the cyclical nature of music and art. Meanwhile, Hoover’s “Crescendo” series embodies the build-up and release of musical energy. By combining these elements, “Infinite Crescendos” becomes a visual metaphor for the never-ending journey of artistic creation and appreciation.

The Material: Accoya Wood

At the heart of “Infinite Crescendos” lies an innovative material choice: Accoya wood. This high-performance wood product is the result of decades of research and development, offering unparalleled durability, stability, and sustainability.

Accoya wood starts its life as fast-growing, sustainably sourced timber. Through a process called acetylation, the wood’s cellular structure is modified, enhancing its natural properties without introducing any toxic compounds. The result is a material that resists rot, defies dimensional change, and maintains its beauty for decades.

For an installation like “Infinite Crescendos,” Accoya wood offers several key advantages:

  1. Dimensional Stability: The spiraling forms of the sculpture require a material that won’t warp or twist over time. Accoya’s exceptional dimensional stability ensures that the installation will maintain its precise geometry for years to come.
  2. Lightweight Strength: Despite its durability, Accoya is relatively light, making it ideal for suspended installations. This allows Hoover to create large, sweeping forms without putting undue stress on the airport’s infrastructure.
  3. Sustainability: As a certified environmentally friendly material, Accoya aligns perfectly with the growing emphasis on sustainability in public art and architecture.
  4. Workability: Accoya retains the workability of natural wood, allowing Hoover to shape and finish the material to achieve his artistic vision.
  5. Aesthetics: The clean, light color of Accoya provides an excellent canvas for Hoover’s design, interacting beautifully with the changing natural light from the skylights.

Cie Hoover accoya art

A Mesmerizing Display: The Installation in Situ

Visitors to Nashville International Airport are in for a treat as they traverse Concourses B and C. “Infinite Crescendos” is strategically positioned to make the most of the airport’s architecture and natural lighting.

Interaction with Light

One of the most captivating aspects of the installation is its interaction with light. As the sun moves across the sky, the Accoya wood spirals cast ever-changing shadows on the floor and walls of the concourse. This dynamic play of light and shadow brings the static sculpture to life, creating a sense of movement and rhythm that echoes its musical inspiration.

In the early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is lower in the sky, the light filtering through the skylights takes on a golden hue. This warm light is absorbed and reflected by the Accoya wood, giving the sculpture a soft, ethereal glow. As midday approaches, the more direct light accentuates the crisp lines and curves of the installation, highlighting its geometric precision.

Viewing Perspectives

One of the joys of “Infinite Crescendos” is how it reveals different aspects of itself depending on the viewer’s position. From directly beneath, the three spirals align to form the triangle of circles that is central to the concept. As viewers move through the space, this alignment shifts, creating new and intriguing visual relationships between the elements.

This changing perspective encourages engagement with the artwork. Travelers, whether hurrying to catch a flight or waiting for a connection, find themselves pausing to look up, to move around, to see how the sculpture transforms from different angles. In this way, “Infinite Crescendos” doesn’t just occupy space; it activates it, turning a transit area into a space for contemplation and discovery.

The Temporal Aspect

Adding another layer to the experience is the knowledge that this installation is temporary. “Infinite Crescendos” will be on display until April 7, 2024, creating a sense of urgency for viewers. This limited timeframe transforms the act of viewing from a passive experience into an active one, encouraging visitors to engage more deeply with the artwork during its tenure.

The Broader Impact: Art, Sustainability, and Public Spaces

Cie Hoover’s “Infinite Crescendos” is more than just a beautiful object; it’s a statement about the role of art in public spaces and the importance of sustainable practices in contemporary art.

Elevating the Travel Experience

By placing this high-caliber artwork in an airport, a space typically associated with stress and hurry, Nashville International is participating in a growing trend of using art to transform transit spaces. “Infinite Crescendos” offers moments of respite and wonder amid the bustle of travel, potentially changing how people perceive and interact with the airport environment.

Promoting Sustainable Art Practices

The use of Accoya wood in this high-profile installation serves as a powerful endorsement of sustainable materials in art and architecture. It demonstrates that eco-friendly choices need not come at the cost of aesthetics or durability. This could inspire other artists and institutions to consider more sustainable options in their projects.

Connecting Art and Community

The incorporation of the Bonnaroo logo into the sculpture creates a connection between the airport installation and one of Tennessee’s most famous cultural events. This link helps root the artwork in its local context while also speaking to the international audience that passes through the airport.

A Crescendo of Creativity and Sustainability

Cie Hoover’s “Infinite Crescendos” at Nashville International Airport is a testament to the power of public art to transform spaces and touch lives. Through his innovative use of Accoya wood, Hoover has created a sculpture that is not only visually stunning but also aligned with contemporary values of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

As travelers from around the world pass through Nashville, they’ll carry with them the memory of this extraordinary artwork – a memory of spiraling forms, dancing light, and the warm glow of Accoya wood. In this way, “Infinite Crescendos” becomes more than just an airport installation; it becomes a ambassador for the possibilities of sustainable art, reaching far beyond the boundaries of Nashville.

Until April 7, 2024, visitors to Nashville International Airport have the opportunity to experience this remarkable fusion of art, music, and sustainable materials. It’s an experience that promises to elevate the ordinary act of travel into something truly extraordinary.

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