FLORA IN FLIGHT
Aerial Art by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics
June 22 – October 31

Patrick Shearn Poetic Kinetics logoExperience a collaboration between art and nature as vast, fluid canvases of color dance overhead in the wind. This trilogy of large-scale kinetic art by Colorado Springs-based creative arts and design studio Poetic Kinetics transforms spaces within the Garden into living tapestries sure to spark wonder and ignite the imagination.  

Led by Creative Director Patrick Shearn, Poetic Kinetics is world-renowned and has earned recognition for epic festival art installations, immersive public art, and fine art museum displays that inspire audiences and connect them with their environments through visually striking experiences. Flora in Flight spans 3,317 total square feet and comes to life with 53,932 feet of colorful flowing fabric, and 4,929 linear feet of rope. The installations are unique pieces created for the Garden and are a part of Poetic Kinetics’ Skynet Art Series.

View press photos.

What happens to the artwork after the exhibition ends?
In November, once Flora in Flight ends, all three Skynet artworks will be returned to Poetic Kinetics. Ready-to-Deploy Skynets will be prepared for use in the studio’s next exhibition, while Custom Skynets are processed for recycling. Poetic Kinetics’ commitment to sustainability ensures that each Skynet contributes to a cycle of continuous creativity and environmental responsibility. 

  • Visitors walking through The Court, underneath the summer exhibition, Flora in Flight.
  • The sun shines through the streamers of the summer exhibition, Flora in Flight.
  • Flora in Flight hung up in the Court.
  • Visitors at the end of Pliny's Alleeé underneath the Flora in Flight aerial art.
  • The aerial art, Flora in Flight, hangs up in the Lawn Garden.

More About the Artist

Artist Biography

Patrick Shearn, Creative Director of Poetic Kinetics, is a visionary artist renowned for his captivating, large-scale public art installations that transform urban spaces and engage audiences around the globe. Fueled by a passion for exploring human connection, emotion, and our relationship with the natural world, Shearn creates immersive experiences that inspire wonder and introspection, captivating viewers on both visual and emotional levels. 

Shearn’s artistic career started in the film industry, on notable projects such as “Jurassic Park,” “Fight Club,” and “Interview with a Vampire.”  This experience nurtured his creative spirit and honed his technical prowess, ultimately leading him to establish Poetic Kinetics, a collective of talented artists.

The title Flora in Flight says it all. If flowers could fly, like some fantastical murmurations of tropical birds, how would they coalesce? What patterns would they form when the wind tickles? I want to bring flashes of vibrant color to some of the more hidden but magical parts of the garden that a visitor might have missed. Like an unexpected kaleidoscopic treasure hunt in a lush familiar garden… 

Explore the Poetic Kinetics portfolio of past installations showcased on major platforms around the globe. Watch “Art in the Air,” a Kansas City PBS feature that provides a behind-the-scenes look at how another piece in the Skynet Art Series came together. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Harrison McPhee
Nathan Leclair
Hartney Greymont
Woodsmith Forestry
Andrew Hutchins