Nestled within the historic walls of the California Building in Northeast Minneapolis, artist Alyssa Baguss has cultivated a practice that intricately weaves together themes of nature, technology, and human perception. Her work, deeply rooted in drawing, extends into installation and interactive experiences, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the natural world in an era dominated by digital mediation.
Exploring Mediated Landscapes
Baguss’s artistic journey is characterized by an exploration of how technology influences our experience of the outdoors. She delves into the concept of “digital wanderlust,” a term she uses to describe the phenomenon of individuals virtually transporting themselves to distant places through digital platforms like Google Earth and online mapping services. This fascination with virtual exploration raises questions about the authenticity of our connections to nature when mediated through screens.
In her 2019 exhibition You Were Never Here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Baguss constructed three distinct artworks that examined nature as scenery, our persistent longing to be elsewhere, and our perception of place through secondary experiences. The exhibition invited viewers to reflect on their mediated experiences of nature and consider the implications of engaging with the environment through digital means.
The Intersection of Art and Science
Baguss’s work often blurs the lines between art and science, reflecting her deep interest in environmental studies and technology. Her residency at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve exemplifies this interdisciplinary approach. During her time there, she initiated Slow Data Transmission, a project that involved creating small drawings and paintings to visualize scientific data. These artworks were then mailed as postcards to participants, humanizing complex ecological information and fostering a personal connection between the recipients and the scientific research.
This synthesis of art and science is not merely a thematic choice but a reflection of Baguss’s core values. She is passionate about inspiring artists to pursue new ideas and finding ways to financially support their experimental public art projects.
Community Engagement and Public Art
Beyond her studio practice, Baguss is deeply committed to community engagement. As the Arts Program Manager at Silverwood Park, she produces public art experiences that seamlessly blend environmental education with artistic expression. This role allows her to create programs that connect people with the natural world through art, fostering a deeper appreciation for both.
Her public art initiatives extend to collaborative projects aimed at addressing environmental concerns. In 2024, Baguss worked on a project at the Rochester Art Center to prevent bird collisions with the building’s windows. The installation featured poetry and imagery on the windows, serving both as an artistic expression and a functional deterrent for bird strikes.
Recent Community-Engaged Projects
In recent years, Baguss has initiated several projects that exemplify her commitment to community engagement and public art:
- The Aerial Poetry Project (2022): On May 21, 2022, during the Art-a-Whirl Festival, a 35-character poem by Michael Kleber-Diggs was flown behind an airplane over Northeast Minneapolis. This project transformed the sky into a canvas, merging poetry with public space and offering a unique experience to festival attendees. Cargo Collection
- Minnesota Artists Penny Press (2024): This traveling installation features a modified penny press machine that imprints designs by local artists onto pennies. By bringing art to unconventional spaces, this project makes art accessible and interactive, allowing the public to collect miniature artworks. Cargo Collection
- Open Water (2020): Curated by Baguss, this series of experimental art events took place aboard the Minneapolis Water Taxi on the Mississippi River. Each excursion featured different local artists who engaged participants through various art forms, fostering a connection between the community and the river. Cargo Collection
These initiatives reflect the heart of Baguss’s practice today, showcasing her dedication to bringing art into community spaces, fostering engagement, and addressing pressing environmental concerns.
Reflections on Place and Perception
Baguss’s work is deeply contemplative, often prompting viewers to question their perceptions of place and reality. Her installations, such as Wish You Were Here, utilize large-scale wallpaper murals of idyllic landscapes overlaid with intricate hand-cut patterns derived from local topographical data. This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between idealized representations of nature and actual geographic information, encouraging audiences to reflect on the authenticity of their experiences.
Reflecting on her dual roles as an artist and arts administrator, Baguss has noted,
“I have my work work and I have my art work. It’s always been this way but in the last couple of years, I don’t compartmentalize my work and my art work. I think that’s easier for me, but also my work involves so many conceptual threads that I deal with daily at work. I just see it as one big thing that’s kind of a mash-up.”
A Legacy in the Making
As Baguss continues to navigate the intersections of art, technology, and nature, her work serves as a testament to the evolving relationship between humans and their environment. Her thoughtful engagement with these themes not only enriches the Twin Cities’ art community but also contributes to broader conversations about the role of technology in shaping our perceptions of the natural world.
In the context of the California Building’s storied history as a hub for artistic innovation, Baguss’s practice embodies the spirit of exploration and community that has long defined this creative space. Her work stands as a bridge between the building’s rich past and the dynamic future of art in the Twin Cities.
Written by: Remo Campopiano & Friends
Links
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota CBS – Cedar Creek Artist-in-Residence: Alyssa Baguss
The Monahan Gallery – System Settings: Alyssa Baguss
Art Dose Magazine – Public Art Initiative for Bird Safety
Alyssa Baguss – Personal Website and Portfolio
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District – Alyssa Baguss: Engaging the Community Through Art
MPLSART
Forecast Public Art
Salina Art Center
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Alyssa Baguss Portfolio