Ecosystem Engine

Detailed white linework against a black background of engine parts, pipes, cables, and impossible machines
A wide image of the full black and white artwork depicting an impossibly large and complicated machine made of engine parts, wires, cables, pipes, and more

This artwork which was commissioned as part of the now sadly disbanded Open Arts program is gone now — a victim of ill-fated organizational growth, but Justin Amrhein’s Ecosystem Engine was a marvel of human persistence carefully drawn out over many days of back-breaking labor. It was one of my favorite art installs for its beauty from afar while also offering so much to explore up-close.