There is a new Constellation in the night sky over the Hudson Highlands State Park.
On Pollepel Island about 1,000 feet off the shores of Beacon, NY and across the Hudson River from Storm King Mountain, the Bannerman Castle ruin - a property of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation - has inspired Beacon-based artist, Melissa McGill, to create and install "Constellation" - a sculpture and light creation made up of 17 40-80 foot poles with a solar-powered LED light globe at the top of each. As the sun sets each night for the next two years, McGill's Constellation will fade-in over Bannerman - joining the natural stars in the sky.
The companion book Constellation accompanies the installation, both as an extension and artifact of the project. The book is a visual and literary dialogue between artist Melissa McGill and several celebrated writers and poets, using the artwork as a springboard for inspiration and collaboration. Melissa will do a book talk and signing at The Cold Spring General Store in Cold Spring, NY on November 13th.
Earlier this year we met Melissa McGill and Bannerman Castle Trust member Tom Johnson at The Cornwall Yacht Club and we visited the island where we spoke with Melissa about this special celestial sculpture.
This is an encore presentation of this interview.
