The final opportunity for the community at large to be part of “Rhizome,” the historic large-scale art installation at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), will be this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 29 – 31.
Volunteers can meet at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts building at TAMIU from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Under supervision, volunteers will be helping to fill structural forms in the massive indoor/outdoor sculpture. No tools are needed and volunteers should dress in comfortable clothing and be prepared to be outdoors or indoors. Sunscreen and hats are recommended.
“Rhizome” is a multidisciplinary contemporary art project organized by TAMIU Artist and Visiting Assistant Professor Crystal Wagner. It involves the collaboration between faculty and students in the music, art, dance, theater, and humanities and the community at large and is creating a fully dynamic conversation on art, culture, community, place-making, recycling, and sustainability.
Rhizome uses RPET fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, and the installation explores sustainability and awareness at the intersection of art, environmentalism, and community. Rhizome uses recycled materials and harnesses solar energy to generate power. Rhizome transforms RPET fabric into ART and then into REUSABLE TOTE BAGS. It establishes a bridge between different communities through collaboration and becomes a net producer to reduce waste in the community.
“I encourage the community to join us for this final build and be part of a historic art undertaking that’s happening here in Laredo for the first time. It’s a terrific opportunity to create art and memories for all,” Wagner said.
The project was recently profiled on Texas Standard, a podcast from the NPR Network. Listen at: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443479/texas-standard
Rhizome uses RPET fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, and the installation explores sustainability and awareness at the intersection of art, environmentalism, and community. It uses recycled materials and harnesses solar energy to generate power. Rhizome transforms RPET fabric into ART and then into reusable tote bags. It establishes a bridge between different communities through collaboration and becomes a net producer to reduce waste in the community. Corporate support for Rhizome has been provided by Speedball.
The final Rhizome Experience performance is scheduled Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
For more information including ways to support Rhizome, visit the dedicated website at https://www.tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/rhizome/index.shtml
TAMIU Fall Semester 2024 enrollment begins Monday, April 1, 2024.
More on the University’s story is also available on the University’s website, tamiu.edu, and on its social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter-X, and YouTube.
