From DiscoverNikkei.org

Calvin Abe

Landscape architect and visual artist

  • Profile (ah'bé landscape architects)
  • Profile (American Society of Landscape Architects)
Abe was profiled in 2004 upon being nominated an ASLA Fellow.
  • Expressions (dir. Evan Mather, 2005; digital video, 7:45)
"I had never intended to be a landscape architect. It’s totally a lie for me to say that I had some connection to the garden. What I had a connection to was the desire to be an artist. I was never encouraged to be creative – I don’t remember hearing the words. Being creative meant you had some ability – and as a kid I didn’t think I had any abilities. But there was a desire – a natural desire to put something down and mimic. This was really about 'self expression'."
Abe is one of several landscape architects interviewed about the state of the discipline.


Works & Exhibitions

"Honed by his many years of experience, Abe's exciting new installation piece ... is an innovative look into our current eco-system. This visually powerful and interactive installation promises to take gallery-goers on an introspective journey."
  • So what? (dir. Evan Mather, 2007; digital video, 6:55)
"Synopsis: A landscape architectural firm shreds three months worth of its waste paper and creates a provocative art installation about sustainability."
"'Like our constantly changing drawings throughout the design process, paper moves through various states in its lifecycle,' says firm Principal Calvin Abe. 'In shreddings 2: so what, we will interrupt paper’s typical cycle by shredding three months’ worth of materials that were used in the course of our work. Rather than going to the blue recycling bin at the curb, we will transform our discarded diagrams into one more state: an abstract paper forest of shredded paper.'"
"Directly tied to the urban ecosystem of our concrete jungle is a less-obvious paper forest. Usually housed neatly in blue bins on the curb, this forest is brought into the light through ah'bé landscape architects' recent landscape installation 'Shreddings Part 2: So What?.'"
In collaboration with Sylvia Tidwell, Calvin Abe created a public art work for the City of Scottsdale's Eldorado Park Aquatic and Fitness Center. In December 2003, it received the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Southern California 2003 Quality of Life Design Merit Award in the category of Landscape Art.
This web page, by the Scottsdale Public Art program, provides thorough documentation of the work.
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