The Mill in Westport to unveil new sculpture

WESTPORT | A newly commissioned wall work is set to be unveiled at The Mill on Thursday, March 19. It's called "Gold Linear Beam" — a 40-foot site-specific sculptural installation comprising 10 modules coated in reflective gold laser-cut cast acrylic; its smooth, mirror-like finish is interrupted by geometric, faceted insets that refract light and nearby objects. "These surfaces have indentations as though something has been carved or impacted into the surface, and so, those geometric facets reflect objects and other parts of the space, as well," said Stephen Hendee, an innovative sculptor renowned for creating large-scale installations that challenge traditional notions of space and form. "Depending on what your angle is, the viewers entering the bar will see how the object interacts with the space in a really dramatic way and reflects spaces inside The Mill." Visually stunning and conceptually complex, Hendee's work ultimately challenges viewers to consider the relationship between virtual and physical spaces and how they intersect with one's perception of reality, according to the press release. "Through his work, he translates the vectorized properties of digital design into physical materials, creating real-world simulations of virtual reality spaces." The modules are being fabricated in the artists' studio in Baltimore and will be installed on site. The installation will span the entry passage to The Mill's speakeasy, The Knock, located near Hendee's 2024 illuminated light sculpture, "Buisine," a monumental sculpture also fabricated on site that is the pre-planned realization of a performative digital process. "Taylor had always imagined a mirror in the hallway of The Knock. It would ground the visitor, allowing them to see themselves in this place where they've been transported," said Catherine Haskins, co-director and curator of The Mill. "[So], when we discovered Hendee had been working on a model for a gold acrylic reflective panel that appeared to be the inverse of 'Buisine,' as these panels appeared to be struck by meteors rather than a glacier of gems protruding from the wall, we knew this was our 'mirror.'" Opened in 2024 by Taylor and Catherine Haskins, The Mill — an 11,000-square-foot former grain mill that was originally constructed in 1952 as the Champlain Valley Seed Cooperative — is designed to celebrate and support the creative work of world-class contemporary artists, musicians, and comedians through exhibitions, installations, and performances, providing engaging, multi-faceted cultural experiences for visitors. "The concept of inviting artists to create new artworks within the walls of The Mill emerged from our intention to transform the existing architecture into an unexpected immersive experience. These artists are, in turn, given the opportunity to expand their practice into a site-specific installation," Haskins said. "Stephen Hendee was one of the first artists I thought of when we purchased the building because I was familiar with the work he's created over the last three decades, transforming gallery spaces into new realities." All the installations and galleries at The Mill can be viewed every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. while The Knock is open. The unveiling of the artwork and the artist's reception will be held on March 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP. For more information, visit themilladk.com.

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The Mill in Westport to unveil new sculpture

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