Life Patterns — East End Garage Mural, Rochester, NY
About the Mural
The project called for creating a relationship between the sculpture by Arch Miller, which is sited on the northeast corner of the garage, and the Eastman Theatre, which is next to the garage on the west. The architecture of the garage is unadorned, a sharp contrast to the more ornate Eastman Theatre. The designs in the mural create a bridge between the two buildings referencing some of the details of the theater and putting them in a more contemporary context.
The barren quality of the area, especially when there are no leaves on the trees inspired Gussow to bring back reminders of natural life. She selected a variety of leaves from some plants now native to Rochester including the maple, oak, cypress, and locust to use as a design motif. The shapes and colors of the leaves inspired abstract patterns that are incorporated into the design.