Part 4 of the TED Radio Hour episode Adaptation
About Janet Echelman's TED Talk
Janet Echelman found her true voice as an artist when her paints went missing — which forced her to look to an unorthodox new art material. Now she makes billowing, building-sized sculptures, made of natural and synthetic fibers.
About Janet Echelman
Artist Janet Echelman builds living, breathing sculpture environments that respond to the forces of nature — wind, water and light— and become inviting focal points for civic life.
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— "Wide Hips" in India. Janet Echelman's first sculpture.
"Wide Hips" in India. Janet Echelman's first sculpture.
/ Studio Echelman
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— "1.26" in Denver, CO at night
"1.26" in Denver, CO at night
/ Peter Vanderwarker
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— "1.26" in Denver, CO during the day
"1.26" in Denver, CO during the day
/ Peter Vanderwarker
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— "She Changes" in Porto, Portugal
"She Changes" in Porto, Portugal
/ Enrique Diaz
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— "Her Secret Is Patience" in Phoenix, AZ
"Her Secret Is Patience" in Phoenix, AZ
/ Christina O'Haver
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— "Skies Painted with Unnumbered Sparks" in Vancouver, Canada for the TED Conference's 30th Anniversary
"Skies Painted with Unnumbered Sparks" in Vancouver, Canada for the TED Conference's 30th Anniversary
Bret Hartman / TED
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— "As If It Were Already Here" in Boston, MA
"As If It Were Already Here" in Boston, MA
Bruce Petschek / Courtesy of Janet Echelman
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— "1.8 Renwick" at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C.
"1.8 Renwick" at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C.
Ron Blunt / Smithsonian Institute
Exploring the potential of atypical materials, from fishing net to atomized water particles, Echelman combines ancient craft with cutting-edge technology to create sculpture at the scale of buildings.
Recent prominent works include "Her Secret is Patience," which spans two city blocks in downtown Phoenix, "Water Sky Garden," which premiered for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and "She Changes," which transformed a waterfront plaza in Porto, Portugal.
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