The World Through Bucky’s Eyes A New Public Mural Graces the Back Wall of Artspace 304
Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/15/2023
12:00 am
Location
ArtSpace 304
Categories
Chuck Benya, Artspace 304’s CEO & Executive Director announced, “With significant underwriting from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, we are fortunate to add a prominent mural to the Welcome, Carbondale! and Southern Illinois Mural Project portfolios.” The new mural is entitled: The World Through Bucky’s Eyes. Drivers traveling on S. University Avenue behind the Civic Center can’t miss the arresting image of eyeglasses that almost covers the wall. Graphs and drawings from Bucky’s notebooks fill the lenses, as the glasses float in a mix of geometric shapes and deep space.
Mural artist Maddie Deiters completed the painting at Artspace 304 in honor of one of Carbondale’s most distinguished citizens: Buckminster Fuller. Maddie is already a much sought after artist, having designed and installed murals throughout our region, including the colorful image on the Eurma C. Hayes Community Center. Maddie was drawn to public art in hopes of empowering people to appreciate and participate in creating art.
When asked about the mural’s origins, Maddie states: “I was inspired by Buckminster Fuller and his unique conceptions integrating engineering and architecture. Carbondale is home to the original “Dome Home” that Fuller built and lived in while a professor at SIU. His mission was “to make the world work for all of humanity” and inspired inventions, books, and a sustainability movement that continues to influence the world. In designing this piece, I thought it would be fascinating to look at the world the way he did, if just for a moment.”
Marsha Ryan, Artspace 304’s Board President was drawn to the boldness of Maddie’s design and the way the image reflects Fuller’s blend of art, science, the practical, and the cosmic. “The message is both fitting and aspirational for Artspace 304, the City, and our region.”
The Southern Illinois Mural Project (SIMP) is an Artspace 304 program with the goal of engaging local artists to showcase the history of our region via large-scale, public visual storytelling. SIMP has helped underwrite more than 20 murals throughout Southern Illinois over the past three years. Funds for the Southern Illinoi Mural Project are provided by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Carbondale, and Artspace 304.