Paul Sharits (1943-1993)

Artpark

CHARLES SIMONDS

(July 1-28)

                                     Charles Simonds, whose “Little People” inhabited Artpark last season, returns this year to attempt an exciting experiment with the people of Lewiston. In his variation of the “Growth House”, Simonds will call upon the village residents to build a structure out of “growth bricks” - - - sacks of earth that contain seeds. During his stay at Artpark, Simonds will nourish the structure, helping to transform it from shelter into food by the end of the season. Then Simonds plans to reunite the residents of Lewiston for festivities as they harvest the food from their growth structure, and in the process, recreate in miniature the interactions which take place on a large scale in the Village.

                                     Simonds was born in New York City and educated at the University of California, Berkeley, and at Rutgers University, where he received an M.F.A. in 1969.

                                     His recent work involves the design of hilly landscape for a park-play lot in lower Manhattan. He has recorded his earthworks (including rebirth from the earth) in films that have been shown in universities and museums all over the country.

Lewiston State Arts Park Box 371 Lewiston, New York 14092 Telephone 754-8271 Area Code 716 Cable Artpark, New York