Moving the Spirit by Shaping the Earth | Exhibition
Opening Reception | Thursday, February 20 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Immerse yourself in earthworks that exemplify the contemplative intersection of art and nature. David Meyer, adjunct professor of landscape architecture and founder of Meyer Studio Land Architects (MSLA), is driven to sculpt beautiful spaces that reach people and spark thought — with beauty always being front and center.
This exhibition focuses on three projects. Through models, drawings, and narrative, the work demonstrates how landscape architects can create meaningful places while addressing program.
- At Heartwood in Omaha, Nebraska, the MSLA team is creating an earthen infrastructure that addresses the effects of climate change and brings natural phenomena forward. The intent is to shape a unique experience that deepens our sense of nature and our changing environment.
- Limelight, a temporary installation at the Westonbirt International Festival of Gardens, celebrated a champion tree with an earthen medallion.
- After Maximus, a reimagination of Rome’s Circus Maximus, is meant to honor the innocent who died there rather than celebrate gods and rulers.
The week-long exhibition includes a deep dive into MSLA’s process for translating concepts into reality — considering everything from the messy, iterative process of design development to the meticulous working drawings that contractors build from. Meyer, who has taught the capstone studio for 25 years, has always sought to instill an appreciation for design rigor — the necessary approach if built spaces are to transcend the ordinary.
Moving the Spirit by Shaping the Earth is on view February 20–28, 2025. Gallery hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.