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Culver City is proud to announce that Culver Current, a groundbreaking mixed medium light sculpture created by artist Nate Mohler has been renewed for a second year of exhibition. The stunning interactive fountain is an impressive work that displays a combination of generative video art on a custom-sculpted cylindrical facade. Culver Current has been renewed for two new shows throughout the 2021 and 2022 and can be viewed in the Dale Jones City Hall Courtyard. Culver Current was built on top of the pre-existing fountain, taking a modern approach to traditional sculptures and fountains as a central place for congregation. Visit www.CulverCurrent.art for photos and information.
Mohler found inspiration from the importance of community and public art in real world places for conversations and gatherings. The Cultural Affairs Committee Commissioned the sculpture to celebrate the past 30+ years of Art in Public Places, a program created to set aside support for the unbound creation of public art and the expansion of public spheres. The term ‘public sphere’, coined by German Philosopher Jegen Habermas, describes areas in communities where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems and through these discussions arrive at common values, decisions, and potential actions. Culver Current honors Habermas’s vision that supporting art and activity in public space would lead to a more harmonious society.
The video art projected around Culver Current was inspired by “the colors and textures of photographs from the surrounding area.” Mohler explains that through the fusion of traditional sculpture, film, and new technology such as AI neural style transfer, he is able to “imagine and dream new skylines, abstract structures, and beautiful moments extracted from the city.”
Though the resulting animations are avante garde, they still hold hints of the city streets or the familiar architecture of Culver City. Generative video also changes based on online activity within the geofenced area of Culver City and the social media hashtags #CulverCity, #CulverCurrent on Twitter. As online activity rises, the more turbulence will be reflected in the current of the sculpture’s light.
The first show of 2021 consists of a series of 15 generative art pieces, each consisting of manipulated photographs ranging from the architecture on Hayden Tract to street views and sunset skylines. You also see glimpses of the artist, Nate Mohler, and friends swimming around the sculpture.
About the Artist
Nate Mohler is a media artist working with technology as his “paint-brush” to build conceptual and avant-grade experiences through digital art and mixed media sculpture. A 2019 UCLA graduate with a B.A. in Design & Media Arts, Mohler is intrigued with the fusion of conceptual art and technology to support connectivity and social activism with unconventional space and sound. His work focuses on eliciting action and question through digital mediums such as projection mapping, immersive installations, sculpture and video art. Mohler treats each project as an opportunity to evoke emotion, challenge thought, or support social change.
On January 19th, 2021, as the nation honored the 400,000 loved ones we lost from Covid-19, Culver Current reflected 400 drops a second in remembrance of the 400,000 who have fallen. A reflection to remind us who or what is our true enemy and the strength we can have when we work together.
About Culver Current
Culver Current, consists of a 9-foot tall cylindrical steel frame with 494 LED panels inside a custom thermoformed Corian® shell. Projected video illuminates the Corian® surface from within, diffusing along ripples cut into the surface. Culver Current’s fountain uses no actual water. Instead, a series of video art works reflective of the greater Los Angeles and Culver City area are projected on the facade of the cylindrical sculpture. The fountain’s show lasts about 15 minutes long on a loop with accompanying sound by composer Luke Mombrea. Two unique shows will be created including updates throughout the 2021-2022 year.
“This sculpture is a reflection of the past, a moment in the present, and a discussion of the future” said Mohler, who investigates connectivity and audience participation through unconventional space and immersive art. Having grown up near Culver City, Mohler wanted to mirror the Culver City community and tap into the inspiration the city gave him professionally.
The City of Culver City commissioned the project, with support from Christine Byers of the Cultural Affairs Commission and City Council. Irina Panasyuk of IVP Public Art facilitated artist selection, project coordination, and public outreach. A dedicated team of professionals, including Jacob Fishman, Ruben Jimenez of Eastside LED and welder Eric Vrymoed, worked with Mohler on the project since its inception. Mario Romano of the design engineering studio M.R. Walls oversaw the fabrication of the Corian® shell and created the custom-cut surface based on natural lines found in the ripples of water and sand.
Be sure to tag #CulverCurrent on Social Media.
Support
Major support for Culver Current is provided by Culver City’s Art in Public Places Program and Cultural Affairs Committee committed to preserving and supporting the arts. Commissioned through the Cultural Trust Fund, Major Meghan Sahli-Wells states “we hope this artwork will inspire, entertain, and enlighten the entire community.” Culver Current is the beacon of light that celebrates the 30+ years of Art in Public Places program.
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Media Contact
Christine Byers | Culver City Cultural Affairs
christine.byers@culvercity.org | (310) 253-6003
For further information about the artist
You can find more information on Culver Current, at https://www.culvercurrent.art/
Be sure to tag #CulverCurrent on Social Media.
