Biography

By Gavin Krell and Mendez

George Trakas was born in Quebec City, Canada on the 11th of May 1944. Trakas moved to New York in 1963, where he went on to attend New York University and earn his bachelors degree in art history. After graduating in 1969 Trakas went on to become a sculptor, Specifically an environmental sculptor that created many site specific installations. Some of his more popular installations are Self Passage that was installed in 1989 outside the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art leading down to the water. Another Installation he is commonly known for is Newton Creek Nature Walk installed in 2007 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. This installation was created along the edges of an old waste treatment company. The sculpture of his we have on campus is called Bay View Station and much like his other works it deals with the environment around the sculpture. Trakas expanded on his talents by teaching sculpture at Yale for 13 years and earned grants and awards for his sculptures. He continues to be active in the art world to this day and has won many awards for his work including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in 1989, A medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1996, and an Award from the Foundation for Contemporary Art Grants to Artists in 2017.

The Bay View Station

By Gavin Krell and Mendez

The Bay View Station was constructed in 1987 which was 7 years after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens and in the midst of fear and paranoia over the notorious Green River Killer. It was a time when the environmental movement was becoming increasingly prominent. People like Trakas where concerned over the widespread abuse of the natural environment and the disastrous consequences that could follow. It was for these reasons that Trakas constructed the Bay View Station. He had hoped that it would serve to bring people together in those uncertain times and that it would serve to remind us of the beauty of the beauty and importance of the natural environment.

Our Vision

By Mendez and Gavin Krell

We wanted to capture the way the sculpture itself fits into the landscape and turns an unused area into one that brings students together. This sculpture works to bring individuals of all majors and backgrounds together to take a break away from the busy campus lifestyle to enjoy their surroundings. It is an important reminder of the importance of community and connection to the place we call home. This sculpture can give a sense of passing time as students come and go as they please each getting something slightly different out of their experience.

Credit

Research and Writing: Mendez

Photography and blog design: Gavin Krell

References

“George Trakas.” George Trakas :: Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/recipients/george-trakas.

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS. “Vassar Info.” Award-Winning Installation Artist George Trakas to Discuss Hudson River Environmental Project, Vassar Info, 16 Apr. 2007, info.vassar.edu/news/2006-2007/070404-george-trakas.html.

Revolvy, LLC. “George Trakas.” Revolvy, www.revolvy.com/page/George-Trakas.

Editors, History.com. “Modernism and Post-Modernism History.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 16 Aug. 2017, www.history.com/topics/art-history/history-of-modernism-and-post-modernism.

Lawson, Gwendolyn, et al. “React. Research. Execute!” React Research Execute, wp.wwu.edu/wwuart109/2018/03/11/bayview-station-by-george-trakas/.