2021 AR - Derek Porter
FACETED PANEL BY DEREK PORTER
Artist Residency - May 14 to November 8, 2021
In year eight of the Artist Residency Program, Manitoga announced a collaboration with lighting designer and artist Derek Porter in the form of an installation in the main House. The work, titled Faceted Panel was composed of mirrored stainless-steel reflectors, arranged in repeating patterns across the architectural surface above the Kitchen/Dining area. These multi-angled reflectors both reflected and refracted the surrounding panoramic view in a kaleidoscope of color, light and movement – beginning east at the Waterfall in morning light, along the moss cliffs and treelined Quarry ridge to the setting sun at day’s end. Porter’s use of industrial material to natural effect parallels Wright’s original experiment with fiberglass and acrylic to recall passing white clouds on a summer day.
ABOUT DEREK PORTER
Derek Porter is a multi-disciplinary designer working in architectural lighting and product design where he focuses on the use of light within various scales of the built environment. His work considers subtle aspects of human perception and the presence of light within spatial contexts. As an extension of his lighting design practice, Derek studies light and space through work in photography and sculpture. He is involved with public art commissions as well as actively exhibits his work nationally and internationally.
Parallel to his art and design practice, Derek is instrumental in the evolution of lighting design education and is currently Associate Professor of Lighting Design at Parsons School of Design in New York, a globally recognized program known for innovative thinking toward daylight and electric lighting integration, cross disciplinary study, social responsibility and broad ranging theoretical research in light, space and human perception. From 2005-2014 he was Director of the Master of Fine Arts Lighting Design program. Derek is a Professional Member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and Member of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). Prior to his role at Parsons he taught at the University of Kansas and the Kansas City Art Institute. He has been guest lecturer at numerous institutions and organizations nationally and internationally, and has presented at regional, national and international conferences. His work is recognized by dozens of awards including an A/L Magazine Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012, Interior Design Magazine Best of Public Space in 2012, US Department of Energy Next Generation Luminaire Design Award in 2012, IALD Award of Excellence in 2008 and 2006, IALD Sustainability Award in 2008, IESNA Paul Waterbury International Award of Excellence in 2006, and IESNA Edwin F. Guth International Award of Excellence in 2008 and 2005. Additionally, he was nominated for the Cooper-Hewitt Design Mind and Institutional Achievement Awards in 2011 and PLDC Special Recognition Award for Education and Research in 2007.
The 2021 Art & Design Host Committee
Lead Sponsors / David M. & Nanci H. McAlpin, The Marilyn & James Simons Charitable Foundation; Sponsors: Joe Chapman, Tom Krizmanic, Gary & Laura Maurer; Supporters: Allison Cross & Henry Nye, David Diamond & Karen Zukowski; Anne & Fred Osborn III/ The Easter Foundation, Lyn & John Fischbach, Frederic C. Rich, William Roos & Scott Olsen, Jonathan & Diana Rose/Lostand Foundation, Alex Reese & Alison Spear; Member: Marlaina Deppe; Friends: Linda & Stephen Breskin, Xavier Fernandez, Annette Gallo, Patricia Zedalis & Michael Strasser
And with support from Manitoga’s Leadership Circle / William Burback & Peter Hofmann, Vernon Evenson & Paul Cassidy, Cheryl & Jack Lenhart, Matthew Marks & Jack Bankowsky, Melissa Meyers & Wilbur Foster, PCLB Foundation, Wild Woods Foundation
Grant funding provided by the Sara Little Turnbull Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and the Putnam Arts Council.