The Land Protector Project 2024

In 2022, the Preservation League of NYS identified Genesee Valley Park as one of its Seven to Save — seven of the most at-risk historic sites in the state. Far more than a recreational green space, Genesee Valley Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in the 1890s as a model of landscape art. The initial threat that resulted in Genesee Valley Park’s Seven to Save designation was the University of Rochester’s plan to build a warehouse and parking lot in a section of parkland that currently contains a woodland buffer. Genesee Valley Park is publicly owned by the City of Rochester, but this stretch of woodland is privately owned by the University. This intact, mature woodland buffer is integral to the scenic quality of the park. Thankfully, the City rejected the University’s proposal and the University has since withdrawn plans to build on the site — but until the University commits to protecting this natural resource in perpetuity, a risk still looms.

Thanks to a Capacity & Regrowth grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, we were able to commission artists to design a creative intervention for each of the Seven to Save in an effort to draw community attention to these endangered places. In thinking about how to use artwork to celebrate and draw attention to Genesee Valley Park, it seemed only fitting to invite someone connected to the University of Rochester to be involved. Associate Professor of Art Heather Layton answered the call and crafted a multidisciplinary, student-led project. Working closely with our colleagues at the Rochester Olmsted Parks Alliance, 11 current students created work inspired by the Park. The artwork, in addition to a print of Frederick Law Olmsted’s original, hand-drawn vision for this remarkable example of landscape architecture, will be exhibited at the Sage Art Center at the University of Rochester in January 2024.

This group, collectively known as the LAND PROTECTORS, represents a spectrum of disciplines across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Using music, film, performance art, painting, installation, dance, craft, drawing, and sound, the students not only highlight the environmental, spiritual, and cultural significance of green spaces but also evoke a deep appreciation for the value of free, accessible, park space for our local communities. The artworks in this exhibition will be archived as a “Portfolio of Evidence” to be used by future activists when new threats to the park emerge again. We hope that this exhibition inspires visitors to reflect upon the importance of protecting our natural surroundings, both in Rochester and beyond.

The LAND PROTECTORS:

Artist Bio: Heather Layton is a multidisciplinary artist and associate professor of art in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Rochester. Her work is often collaborative and addresses social and environmental themes. Layton has exhibited her art in institutions including MoCA Long Island (Patchogue, NY), the International Gallery of Contemporary Art (Anchorage, Alaska), and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (Buffalo, NY). Internationally, she has presented in countries including Pakistan, Slovakia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and India. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Popular Science, PBS NewsHour and A House for the Arts. She received an MFA in painting from the State University of New York, New Paltz. Layton lives in Rochester, NY. You can learn about her work here: www.heatherlayton.com. Instagram: @heatherwanders_

**Look Closer,** Video of dance performance, 1:32, 2023

Vera Blackford

When people run, walk, play, etc. in a park, how often do they focus on the details? Whether it be the grooves in the trees or the boundary line between the highway and the canal, there are so many things to focus on. I walked around the park and looked for details that interested me the most, and how they made my body feel. When learning about the park I remember JoAnn [Beck, of the Rochester Olmsted Parks Alliance] saying that every decision made when building the park had intention and meaning behind it, down to every little detail. I explored those details and portrayed views that normal park-goers maybe would not have seen.

Vera Blackford is an intended Psychology and Dance double major and Brain and Cognitive Science minor at the University of Rochester. She hopes someday to work in the field of psychology with a focus in movement-based therapy. Vera is from LaFargeville, New York but currently lives in Rochester, New York.

**A Day in the Park,** Oil on Canvas, 24 x 30”, 2023

Hanna Felber

This painting is based on a photograph of Genesee Valley Park taken by Albert R. Stone. The photo was printed in the Rochester Herald on July 17, 1910. It depicts a crowd gathering in the park to enjoy the Great Water Carnival, a festival that celebrated the Genesee River and took place on-and-off in different forms until 1976. This painting demonstrates this park’s long, rich history and central role in Rochester’s community, highlighting the importance of continued protection efforts on this land.

Hanna Felber is a senior at the University of Rochester studying Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Environmental Studies with a minor in Linguistics. She is from Norwalk, Connecticut and spent much of her childhood outdoors in CT and in Cape May, NJ, spending time in the bay. Hanna is passionate about tying her studies together to emphasize the impact of language on our perception of climate change. She hopes to pursue a career in the realm of environmental-protection, however that shapes out. If you would like to see more of her art, find her on instagram at @hannafelber.art.

**Parkside Memories,** Textile, 62” x 47”, 2023

Rachel Kamata

Parkside Memories celebrates the memories I have of the Genesee Valley Park. For many, the pandemic highlighted the importance of public parks and green spaces to relax, destress, be healthy, and have fun. I was no exception. The quilt includes kayaking on the river my first year and the iconic trees that frame the park's entrance walkway—the fabric's colors span the seasons. An essential aspect of this quilt is that all fabrics are recycled. I obtained them from SewGreen@Rochester, a local sewing shop that rescues fabric that would otherwise go to waste. Due to the nature of these fabrics, I made many non-standard seams and cuts rather than the traditional boxes and triangles.

Rachel Kamata is a double major in Studio Art and International Relations at the University of Rochester. Her artistic practice aims to weave a compelling narrative that addresses the critical elements of climate change and sustainability, not only encouraging viewers to think and question but ultimately motivating them to take action. Rachel’s work takes form through mixed media and printmaking. In Spring 2024, supported by her conviction that an effective government should be composed of diverse individuals who bring a wide spectrum of perspectives, including artists, Rachel is interning with the Department of State in Washington DC. Discover more about Rachel at rachel-kamata.com.

**Vision,** Pencil on paper, 19 x 25”, 2023

Sparsh Kumar

My art is a tribute to Frederick Law Olmsted and his visionary design of Genesee Valley Park. I try to depict Olmsted's plans for the park and how his vision was brought to life by showcasing real-life drawings. While researching for this project, I came across numerous images of the park from the 1900s. The pictures depicted all the various activities that took place in the park - from sailing and ice skating to public meetings and leisure. My work serves as a visual narrative bridging the past with the present and emphasizing the enduring significance of this land. Using my art, I hope to inspire a commitment to preserve the Genesee Valley Park as a sanctuary for generations to enjoy.

Sparsh Kumar is a pre-medical student at the University of Rochester majoring in Clinical and Translational Science and minoring in Studio Art. She is from the Princeton area in New Jersey, and her creative practices focus primarily on painting and drawing. At the U of R, she is active in undergraduate research, tutoring, and teaching students as a workshop leader.

Seana Marie ‘Alohilani Lanias

The Genesee Valley Park is a place where so many people from Rochester go to get a break from the busyness of the city and their daily lives. During my time creating this piece, I just set out to walk from my house to the park and stroll around to see what inspired me. While walking around, I found that the peacefulness and the carefully thought out landscape provided me with numerous picturesque scenes. The difference between the various audio stimuli on the way to the park and the absence of noise once entering the park lines was. something very profound to me. This showed me the importance of spaces that allow for, humans and wildlife to coexist and the importance of spaces that allow us to think. The Genesee Valley Park provides a space for reflection as well as a meeting ground for communities from all walks of life. This piece is a reflection of the inspiration that the park’s existence provides.

Seana Marie ‘Alohilani Lanias was born and raised on the island of Maui. She is currently attending the University of Rochester concentrating in Studio Art. Her work has been featured in university undergraduate exhibitions in Hartnett Gallery, AsIs Gallery, Art and Music Library, and at Rennert’s Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. Lanias is a multi-racial woman of Native Hawaiian descent, which is one of the many topics she explores through her art. As an artist, she attempts to showcase her identity and struggles stemming from this identity through mixed media painting, sculpture, printmaking, and performance.

JoAnn Beck meets with students at the site of the proposed warehouse in Genesee Valley Park.

Zitao ‘Dylan’ Liu

The Land Protectors, Video; Documentary, 20 minutes, 2023

In Land Protectors, a documentary set against the verdant backdrop of the Genesee Valley Park Barrier, we explore the dynamic intersection of art, academia, and activism. This film chronicles the journey of a diverse group of University of Rochester students, united from various disciplines - Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Through a blend of music, performance, and visual arts, these students not only highlight the environmental, spiritual, and cultural significance of green spaces but also evoke a deep appreciation for the intrinsic value of such areas. Their artworks become a potent form of advocacy, a portfolio of arts-based evidence, defending the land against future threats of commercialization.

Land Protectors is more than a documentary; it's a visual ode to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in preserving and celebrating our natural world. It's a testament to how creativity can be a compelling voice in the discourse of environmental conservation, inspiring viewers to reflect on the importance of protecting and valuing our natural surroundings.

Zitao ‘Dylan’ Liu is a senior majoring Film and Media Studies at the University of Rochester. He is active in filmmaking, from screening writing to cinematography and post productions. His previous documentary production, Practices of Attention, is an award winning piece from the University of Rochester Gollin Film Festival.

**Parkside Leaf Lullaby,** Live Performance, 2023

Yifei Liu

In the heart of Genesee Valley Park, my live performance aimed to harmonize with nature. Through the symphony of nature, I sought to evoke reflection, connection, and healing. The performance invited the audience to join in a shared experience of humanizing nature and finding solace in its embrace. As leaves fell and melodies rose, a profound dialogue unfolded—a celebration of our interconnected existence in the serenity of Genesee Valley Park.

Yifei Liu is a senior at the University of Rochester, double majoring in Business Marketing and Film and Media Studies. Her art practice primarily focuses on performing arts and multimedia arts. Yifei often initiates her creative process by documenting the environment around her and engaging in conversations, both formal interviews and informal discussions. Her cross-disciplinary methodology in art-making aims to better understand and represent complex human relationships—with their past selves, others, and nature.

**A Critical Inspection of Genesee Valley Park,** Video Art, 2023

George Mechalke

This concept came to me when I envisioned a version of the River Campus that was all one giant parking lot. I quickly realized how much inspiration I got from comedian Nathan Fielder, and my fellow artists who also pointed me towards the work of The Yes Men. Like them, I’m deeply committed to being serious about being silly, and I know that someone out there does see more value in a parking lot than a historic and irreplaceable green space like Genesee Valley Park. By exaggerating those opinions, I hope to effectively and uniquely highlight the disgusting nature of that mindset, help you see the value of GVP, and make you laugh a little.

George Mechalke is a Dance and Film Double Major at the University of Rochester. His hometown is Trumansburg, New York, just outside Ithaca in the Finger Lakes. Currently, he’s the Creative Director at WRUR 88.5, the on-campus radio station, and his five year plan involves pursuing any and all things that bring him joy. This includes but is not limited to love, friendship, rabbits, laughter and good wine.

**BLOCK,** Videos from Genesee Valley Park and cinder blocks, installation view, 2023

Dustin Paden

This installation offers two views of the Genesee Valley Park. One green. The other concrete. Which do you prefer?

Dustin Paden is a Senior at the University of Rochester majoring in Digital Media Studies, Psychology, and Studio Arts. His work explores the roles of nature and technology in our modern world.

**Birds of A Feather Flock Together,** Oil on Canvas, Photography by Leah Garcia-Blanco leahgb001@gmail.com, 22”x30”, 2023

Julianna Wagner

Two owls exchange the evening’s game as the sun rises. They provide for one another in the rain, sun, and snow and live harmoniously among the trees. Their habitat is so beautiful, but it comes with a price. Their native grounds are being consumed by human interference by pollution and urbanization. While some buildings are beneficial for the well being of people, how will it affect animal life?

My name is Julianna Wagner and I have a neuroscience major on a pre med track, additionally minoring in studio arts. I grew up in North Carolina but have lived in Texas most of my life. Recently more of my art is being showcased around campus, so my goal is to expand its distribution. I hope to become a physician specializing in neuroscience while advocating for environmental well being through artwork. I enjoy the outdoors and it is my happy place, so I want to help keep the scenery we still have.

**Natural Piano,** Hands on leaves, stone, and branches, 2023

Zoek (Zikuan) Zhao

I selected three piano pieces for different natural objects to reflect the oneness between human art and nature. I chose Sakamoto Ryuichi's Energy Flow for the leaves, because the seemingly static leaves are actually slowly returning to the earth in nature; I decided to put Debussy's "Moonlight" on the stone because the moonlight's etherealness and the stone's calmness are the two sides of the same coin; I played Chopin's Waltz for the branches because the rhythm of branches in the wind is the most natural dancing.

As a pianist, Zoek received the Young Scholar Award, and Global Artist Award at Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Dean's Performance Award at Eastman of Music. Zoek held his first solo recital at the age of 12; he has held recitals in Shandong Grande Theatre, First Church of Christ in Farmington, Connecticut, and Interlochen Arts Academy. Zoek has also received numerous masterclasses and awards from the Aspen Music Festival, Imola Music Festival, and Shanghai International Piano Festival. As an artist, Zoek is particularly involved in performance art, abstract art, experimental music, and avant-garde fashion study/curating. Through his art, Zoek wants to break the boundaries between classical Western music and contemporary art and in a larger picture - awaken each individual's consciousness for a deeper connection with others/the world. Currently, Zoek is part of the COFI (Contemporary Fashion Institute) curating team, which has curated exhibitions relating to contemporary fashion history/study in SND x Haus, and ROCKBUND in Shanghai.