Artist illustration by Julie Farris

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While landscape designer Julie Farris routinely passed an empty lot at the corner of Columbia and Sackett streets on her way to work, an idea was born: "Temporary Landscape: A Pasture for an Urban Space."

With the permission of Art Lot’s owners Bobbi and Jim Vaughan, the Carroll Gardens resident put her skills to work. Farris installed lush, undulating green hills surrounded by a split-rail fence while her collaborator, Fort Greene resident Shane Sigler, made a film montage of pastoral scenes, incorporating grazing animals, to be projected onto the side of the building adjacent to the lot.

Thus, "Temporary Landscape," which Farris said is "meant to recall the agricultural history of Brooklyn," was born with an opening on July 21.

Farris points out that the art installation could not have come to pass without the integral support of several Columbia Street Waterfront District neighbors.

"This has been a real community endeavor, truly," said Farris.

Keyspan, which is working on a project on Columbia Street, brought 12-foot-long wood beams from its construction site to "Temporary Landscape," so viewers could have seating while watching Sigler’s film (which screens Thursdays through Saturdays at approximately 8:45 pm, now through Labor Day weekend).

Launa Beuhler loaned Farris her mower and next-door neighbor Felix DeAzevedo let Farris tap into his water supply, so she could maintain the lawn.

The projector used to screen Sigler’s film is housed in Susan Pacheco’s apartment, across the street from the lot.

"She agreed, incredibly and graciously, to have it in her apartment and to turn it on three days a week!" said Farris. "It’s a thing you can only imagine happening in Brooklyn."

For more information about "Temporary Landscape," e-mail Farris at jfarris@xsspace.com.

©2005 The Brooklyn Paper

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