The Colors of Lake Tahoe art series uses spectral measurements of Lake Tahoe taken by Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) scientists in a celebration of the Lake’s color and the area’s scenery, flora and fauna. Reflecting the shifting ecology and conditions experienced by the planet at large, each artwork is overlaid with an original handmade graphite sketch featuring Tahoe scenery. Working in mixed media Schafer incorporates geometrical forms, a close study of color, and natural elements in the works to convey the idea of interconnectedness.

The scientists mathematically extrapolated the surface color from their readings taken underwater and converted the measurements so that the color circles in the artworks could be printed from the numerical measurements (archival pigment prints on cotton paper). In doing this, the artworks also serve to visually document the varying colors of Lake Tahoe and are time-stamped with year, month, date, and 24-hour time from the moment each measurement was made.

“These pieces attempt to capture moments in time and serve as evidence for the existence of places that have already vanished from the present moment, while also documenting landscapes that have existed for millions of years,” says Schafer.

On view now through March 15, 2019

Tahoe Gallery (3rd Floor Prim Library)
Sierra Nevada College
291 Country Club Drive
Incline Village, Nevada

Website
Instagram: deborah_lawrence_schafer_art

Submitted by Deborah Lawrence Schafer '92