Union Phi is an art collaborative of passionate and create individuals that use the natural proportions of The Universe to manifest monumental art. Phi, also known as the “Golden Ratio” is rationalized by the collective to manipulate and balance forms that honor this natural proportion. Union Phi has collectively created art for more than 5 years with art installations at Burning Man, Reno Sculpture Fest 2015, TedXReno, Nadadada, Artown, various art fairs, galleries and art exhibitions including Mr. Brainwash’s “Art Show 2011” in Los Angeles. Led by Josh Vaile and Mike Gray, Union Phi’s signature sculptures and installations include the following:
- “Hand In The Mirror” – Burning Man 2013
- “Where Am I” – Nadadada 2013
- “Nails the Contraption” – Burning Man 2014 & 2015, Reno Sculpture Festival and TedX Reno
- “Good Luck” – Burning Man 2016
- “Quality of Life” – Burning Man 2016
- “Living Tree @ 63” – Commissioned and dedicated May 5th 2016, Reno Sculpture Fest 2016 & Burning Man 2016
ABOUT LIVING TREE @ 63
Union Phi was commissioned to create a permanently installed large scale sculpture at 63 Keystone Avenue in Reno Nevada in early 2016. After being approached by a local business owner at TedX Reno in Octiober 2015, Union Phi proposed a concept for a 20? metal rebar tree sculpture to this perspective client. “Living Tree @ 63” is an original twenty foot tall metal rebar tree sculpture with 1000 hand crafted wire leaves that will adorn the sculpture. A solid formed concrete base will anchor and “root”this tree into the site honoring the surrounding natural living systems. By utilizing pre and post-consumer recycled materials this “living tree” will not require additional natural resources to maintain. This sculpture will be fabricated by following the principles of Fractal Geometry and utilizing structural and aesthetic relationships to numerical proportions of threes (example:3 branches with 3 bends with 3 leaves at each bend). “189” total vertical #3, #6 & #9 rebar strands (proportional thirds) will protrude from the concrete base with rebar “roots” vining through the site and building elements relating to the surrounding natural and built environment. Living Tree @ 63 and it’s commission is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of Aric Shapiro and Union Phi. After Union Phi was featured at the inaugural year of Reno Sculpture Fest in 2015, Aric Shapiro continued to promote and support the Union Phi collective and coordinated our participation at TedX Reno where we connected with our client. Living Tree @ 63 will be dedicated during Reno Sculpture Fest 2016. This sculpture will stand as a testament to the fortitude, dedication and vision of the collective.