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The public is invited to participate in a one of a kind art installation in Convention Hall, located at 1300 Ocean Avenue on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Salt of the Earth is the live installation by local artist Gerda Liebmann starting on July 3 and ending on July 4 with the public’s help. Liebmann has completed similar installations in New York City, China, and Thailand.

“I like to create a body of art that makes positive assertions about beauty and transcendence,” Liebmann has said. “From past experience I have learned that an audience of passers-by gather around me, asking questions. The attraction is universal and appeals to old and young, men and women, and the hidden artist in all of us. People love watching an artist at work. They are fascinated by the simplicity of the medium and the intricacy of the pattern.”

Over the two days, Liebmann will create an intricate 24’ circle pattern on the floor of Convention Hall using only salt. The installation is supported through Monmouth Arts 2016 crowdfunding campaign that raised $1,800 for the public art project.

“For the Monmouth Arts public art installation, I want viewers to experience community, having the unique bond of living at the shore,” Liebmann said. “The salt expresses the connection of the people of the shore to the sea. Elevating salt to an artist’s medium encourages audiences to find art all around them. Understanding that art is not only paintings hanging on a wall in a gallery can be a transformative experience.”

Just before the fireworks set off on July 4, the public is invited at 7 p.m. to participate in the erasure of the salt installation.  

“Viewers may walk over the intricate salt pattern,” Liebmann said. “The erasure is part of the concept of the beauty of ephemerality.”

The live and temporary installation was chosen by a panel comprised of unaffiliated public  art experts, Monmouth Arts organizers said. They were asked to choose an installation that included public interaction in its production or function, reach a diverse audience, and encourage viewers to consider the role of art in the community.

“Through crowdfunding Monmouth Arts has had a unique opportunity to directly fund an individual artist’s work, and we are so thankful for everyone who contributed to the campaign and helped to make this happen,” Monmouth Arts Community Engagement Director Danielle Acerra said.

Monmouth Arts is a nonprofit that works in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Headquartered in Red Bank, Monmouth Arts awards close to $100,000 in ArtHelps Local Arts Program grants each year to other nonprofit arts groups and organizations that provide access to quality arts experiences throughout Monmouth County, Acerra said.

For more information on Liebmann’s work, visit www.gerdaliebmann.com.

[Photos courtesy of Liebmann]

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