October 14-16th 2022, the second annual Public Arts Festival at ODU proudly presented Mars: a large-scale sculpture by UK-based artist Luke Jerram. Jerram’s red planet shimmers at nearly 23 feet in diameter; an approximate scale of 1:1 million. Each centimeter of the sculpture represents 10 kilometers of the surface of Mars, and pairs its galactic imagery with lights and custom surround sound.
Serving as a meeting point on 43rd Street, Mars brings the Tidewater community together for three out-of-this-world nights, featuring presentations and performances by ODU students, professors, and local heroes. It was an adventure full of food, vendors, dance, music, and conversation, all exploring the Martian landscape and igniting the imagination of young and old.
The Barry Art Museum is grateful to artist Luke Jerram, the Exhibition Advisory Committee, Old Dominion University, NASA Langley and all of our enthusiastic community partners for their generosity and collaborative spirit in the creation of this exhibit and related festival programming.
Mars Fest and its programs are made possible by our generous Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsors:
Brock Foundation and Ms. Joan P. Brock
Supporting Sponsors:
Goode Family Foundation
Director’s Circle:
Lewis Webb & Kim McCoy
Office of the City Manager & City of Norfolk
Contributors:
Clancy & Theys Construction Company
Exhibition Advisory Committee:
David Bowles, Executive Director, Virginia Institute for Spaceflight & Autonomy
Andrew Carnell, Chief of Staff, NASA Langley Research Center
Giovanna Genard, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communication & Marketing, ODU
Khan Ifteharuddin, Professor and Associate Dean For Research & Graduate Programs, Batten College of Engineering and Technology, ODU
Solomon Isekeije, Director, Fine Arts Division at Norfolk State University
Karen Meier, Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement, ODU
Melissa Proffitt, Vice President, Virginia Aerospace Business Association
Mary Sandy, Director, Virginia Space Grant Consortium
Tara Saunders, Executive Director, Real Estate Foundation
Robert Wojtowicz, Vice Provost & Dean of the Graduate School, ODU
Community Partners:
African American Creative Community Series Inc.
Baron & Ellin Gordon Art Galleries
Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
The Governor’s School for the Arts
Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience
Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
Virginia Space Grant Consortium
ODU Partners:
Department of Game Design, Development, and Criticism
Department of World Languages and Culture
Facilities Management and Construction
Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs
Michael and Kimthanh Le Digital Theater Planetarium
Office of Community Engagement
