Exhibition Overview:

“Form and Function: The Intersection of Art, Architecture, and Nature” will be a multidisciplinary art exhibition presented during the Sarasota MOD Weekend, celebrating Sarasota’s rich Modernist architectural heritage while integrating the work of contemporary artists from the SARTQ Artist Collective. This exhibition will explore the powerful relationship between industrial functionality and natural beauty, inviting viewers to experience a marriage of art and architecture in dialogue with the environment.

Drawing inspiration from Sarasota's architectural icons, including the works of Paul Rudolph and Victor Lundy, this exhibition aims to engage the public in a visual conversation about how Modernism's core principles—light, structure, integration with environment, minimalism, functionalism, and industrial materials—resonate within the art world. By incorporating a diverse range of media, from painting and sculpture to photography and installation, the show will challenge perceptions of space and form, emphasizing the timeless relationship between the built environment and the natural world.

Theme and Concept:

The central theme of the exhibition revolves around industrial functionality in conversation with nature—an exploration of how Modernist architecture’s focus on minimalist, functional forms and the use of industrial materials such as steel, glass, and concrete can intersect with the organic, flowing forms found in the natural world.

This exhibition will celebrate the principles of Modern architecture—which embraces radial symmetry, clean lines, open space, and a seamless integration with natural light and the environment—while weaving in the varied artistic expressions of the SARTQ Artist Collective. Each work in the exhibition will embody these themes, whether through the manipulation of light, the incorporation of industrial materials, or the use of nature-inspired elements and forms.

Key Themes Explored:

• Light and Structure: Modernist architecture often focuses on the play of light and shadow, creating dynamic spaces that respond to natural light and the surrounding environment. Artists will incorporate this theme, using light as a medium and exploring how it shapes perception.

• Minimalism and Functionalism: The concept of “form follows function” will be explored through artwork that emphasizes simplicity, efficiency, and purposefulness, mirroring the clean lines and minimal ornamentation characteristic of Modern architecture.

• Industrial Materials and Natural Elements: Artists will explore the contrast and harmony between hard, industrial materials like steel and concrete, and organic, natural forms and textures. Through sculptures and installations, the exhibition will highlight the duality of these materials in their engagement with both the built and natural world.

• Radial Symmetry: Modernism often embraces symmetry and geometric form. Artists will employ radial symmetry in their works, echoing architectural layouts and compositions that balance geometric precision with natural flow.

• Integration with Environment: The exhibit will also explore how art and architecture integrate with their environments, transforming spaces and encouraging a dialogue between the built and the natural worlds.

Featured Artists:

The SARTQ Artist Collective is comprised of a diverse group of Sarasota-based contemporary artists working in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and installation art. Each artist will respond to the exhibition’s theme in their own unique way, offering multiple perspectives on how art can engage with architecture, nature, and the principles of Modernism.

The works included in the exhibition will represent an exciting array of styles and approaches, abstract sculptures made from industrial materials like steel that interact with the architectural space itself. Photography and painting will also play a crucial role, capturing the interplay between form and light, while digital and video works may reflect on the effects of natural light and the passage of time.

Venue and Installation:

The exhibition will be housed in the prominent Sarasota Modernist buildings highlighted in the 2025 MOD weekend. The space will serve not only as a backdrop for the artworks but as an active participant in the narrative, with its architectural elements influencing the placement and presentation of the works.

The installation will be designed to allow for fluid movement through the space, encouraging visitors to experience the works from multiple perspectives and engage with the dynamic relationship between the art, architecture, and natural light. Attention will be given to how the works interact with the space’s architectural features—large windows, open spaces, and clean lines—creating a harmonious dialogue between art and environment.

Educational Programming and Engagement:

To further enhance the exhibition experience, we propose a series of artist talks, panel discussions, and guided tours that delve into the connections between art, architecture, and nature. These programs will provide insight into the creative process, the relationship between the artists and Sarasota’s Modernist architecture, and how artists are reinterpreting the principles of Modernism in a contemporary context.

We will also offer interactive workshops that allow visitors to experiment with industrial materials, explore light and shadow, and create their own minimalist compositions, drawing inspiration from the exhibition themes.

Marketing and Outreach:

The exhibition will be promoted through a targeted marketing campaign, including social media outreach, email newsletters, press releases, and collaboration with Sarasota MOD Weekend’s established audience. In addition, we plan to collaborate with local art institutions, architecture firms, and educational organizations to maximize visibility and attract a diverse range of attendees, from art lovers and architecture enthusiasts to students and the general public.

Conclusion:

“Form and Function: The Intersection of Art, Architecture, and Nature” will offer an exciting and thought-provoking experience that showcases the creative synergy between art, architecture, and the environment. Through the participation of the SARTQ Artist Collective, the exhibition will underscore Sarasota’s legacy as a center for Modernist architecture while engaging the community in a conversation about how these principles continue to inform contemporary art practice.

We believe that this collaboration will be a powerful addition to the Sarasota MOD Weekend, offering a dynamic blend of visual art, architectural history, and environmental consciousness that will resonate with visitors and the local community alike.

We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and present this exciting exhibition.