Enlighten Peekskill: The Five Elements Arches

The Five Arches

by Christine Knowlton and Candace Winter

The Five Elements Arches is a project of Peekskill based artists Christine Knowlton and Candace Winter. Installed on the five arches underlying the Rt 9 overpass at South and Requa Streets, the collage-designed landscapes represent five elements of nature: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood. These five elements, among others, are the basis of the world we live in. Balance is achieved through the interaction and support of these universal elements. As in nature, so cooperation and interaction between diverse communities leads to harmony and communal well-being.

In alignment with this philosophy, The Five Elements Arches art installation involved hundreds of youth and adults in Peekskill’s many faceted community, sharing ideas and taking part in a hands-on creative process. Five Elements Papermaking and Collage Art Workshops were held at Oakside Elementary and Peekskill Middle Schools as well as at the waterfront, during Farmer Market days and in drop in workshops at HVMOCA. Participants created textured and painted papers to be used for the final collaged art panels. Each collaged panel representing an element of nature was then scanned, up scaled and digitally printed on large vinyl banners, then installed on the Rt. 9 overpass arches.

‘The Five Elements Arches’ is a long term installation, funded as part of the NYS DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) and NYSCA.