One Columbia partners with Kroger Supermarket for mural project
July 20, 2016
Piece titled “Gaze” celebrates South Carolina and inspires a hopeful future.
One Columbia for Arts and History has partnered with The Kroger Co. to commission a unique mural that celebrates the spirit of South Carolina and the Midlands for a new Kroger Marketplace store that will open at Killian and Farrow Road in northeast Richland County on July 20, 2016.
The mural was designed by Alexander Rusnak and is titled “Gaze.”
Based around the most ubiquitous symbols of South Carolina: the palmetto and the crescent moon which adorn the State’s flag, the mural depicts a Carolina Wren (the state bird of South Carolina) perched on a palmetto branch shaded with the compliments dark blue and yellow. Rendered in the artist’s distinct pattern-based style, which adds depth and complexity to the image, the mural represents the passage of time and the tenacity of the human spirit. The central moon is a symbol for the utopian future of the wren, a metaphor for humanity and optimism, while the smaller moons show the days and time that separate the present from that goal. Overall it is an image that is both representative of South Carolina and inspires those who view it with the endless possibilities of a hopeful future.
Now a third-year graphic design student at the University of South Carolina, Alex Rusnak made the switch from studying economics to pursue his passion for visual art. Primarily a painter, his works are generally abstract, but with sparing uses of realism, combining patterns to capture his own visual impressions. Alex is originally from Baltimore, MD but resides in Columbia, SC.
As Rusnak explains, “I hope people take a minute out of their busy day, out of running errands, to enjoy and ponder the artwork and its relation to them. On a more specific level, I want this mural to give people hope. Conceptually it’s about looking towards the future, and seeing something greater to hope for. I hope it can give people that encouragement to be positive.”
This mural one of many and part of the Kroger’s larger mission to give local artists the opportunity to lend their talents into creating an uplifting experience in Kroger stores. The company’s objective is to create spaces that encourage community gathering and celebrate the spirit of the area within which the store is located. Kroger has committed to partnering with local arts organizations where new stores are being built to coordinate the identification and selection of murals completed by a local artist within 65 of the new stores that will be opened across the country this year, and plans to continue it in years to come.
One Columbia for Arts and History facilitated the mural project locally and coordinated the process for identification and selection of the artist.
About One Columbia for Arts and History
One Columbia for Arts and History is a non-profit organization that works to promote collaboration among citizens, the cultural community, and city government through celebrations of Columbia’s arts and historic treasures. Its goal is to enhance the quality of life for our residents, attract tourist dollars to our city, and further build our vibrant community. Visit the One Columbia website (http://onecolumbiasc.com) for a continuously updated master list of art and cultural activities occurring throughout the city.
