After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths

Student

Adam Shulman (B.A./B.F.A. '23)

Hometown

Shushan, New York

After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths reclaims imposing concrete walls for nature through environmentally inspired projections and lighting. Designed to allow unique experiences every viewing, the colorful abstract pairings of visual media brightened the evenings of those passing between Collegetown and Central Campus.

Lighting followed the tones of natural processes: the swaying of leaves, beating of butterfly wings, sunset to sunrise, and cycles of water and growth to fire. Video footage followed the changing seasons, using wind and river currents to animate its movement. While natural forces played cinematographer for the lower channels, a third semi-narrative projection presented collected photographs, poetry, and short video reflections on environmental change for the viewer’s interpretation.

For more, please see the review by Stephen Yang for the Cornell Daily Sun: What is That Outside of Schwartz!?

A poster announcing a performance with an image of a lake bottom.

Poster announcement for After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021).

Night time outdoor scene of buildings with lights.

Installation view of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Exterior of a building wall with a projection of clouds.

Detail of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Exterior of a building with a projection of a duck in a pond that is projected on the side of the building.

Installation view of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Detail of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Looking upwards into the treetops during winter.

Detail of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Exterior of a building illuminated with green and multicolored lights on the building facade.

Installation view of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.

Outdoor scene with buildings illuminated in red, green, and blue light.

Installation view of After Nature Had Drawn a Few Breaths (2021), three-channel video and nine-channel light installation, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Ithaca, New York.