FREYJA BARDELL & BRIAN HOWE

STUDIO PROFILE

In 2005, the artistic partnership of Freyja Bardell and Brian Howe was forged, kindled by a shared passion for crafting "living" sculptures that breathe life into urban landscapes. Their collaboration, fueled by a fusion of artistic ingenuity and environmental consciousness, has since transformed public spaces into vibrant tapestries of community engagement and social change.

Freyja Bardell brings her background in fine art and a longstanding commitment to environmental activism, while Brian Howe's expertise stems from the worlds of sculpture and architecture, coupled with a deep affinity for eco-friendly construction methods. Together, they seamlessly meld their individual strengths into a powerful force for transformative art.

The genesis of their partnership began with their maiden public art commission in 2007. This experience marked the genesis of a profound realization: their sculptures could be more than artistic expressions; they could channel the concerns of both the environment and the community. These revelations ignited their journey towards public-art installations that not only captivate the eye but also ignite meaningful dialogues.

Their work encompasses a rich array of materials, including stone, metal, ceramic, glass, and thoughtfully sourced recycled elements. Every material serves as a narrative thread, woven into the larger story of their creations. A meticulous process of community engagement guides their material selection, ensuring that each installation resonates harmoniously with its surroundings, both visually and thematically.

Collaboration is at the heart of their artistry. Freyja Bardell's role extends beyond the artistic realm; she spearheads community outreach, infusing each piece with local narratives. Brian Howe brings a sculptor's precision and an architect's perspective, shaping the tangible forms that house their shared visions. Their partnership transcends individual creativity, fostering an environment where compromise and shared vision spark innovative solutions.

Challenges, while inherent to every creative journey, are met with unwavering determination. Their studio becomes an arena of experimentation, a space where each challenge births new techniques and unforeseen dimensions of their craft. Over the course of 18 years, they've amassed a wealth of expertise that now propels them forward.

Freyja Bardell and Brian Howe reframe art as a conduit for change, utilizing their sculptures to champion social transformation. With each stroke of their art, they bridge the gap between aesthetics and meaningful engagement, offering communities not just visual beauty, but narratives that provoke contemplation, ignite conversations, and ultimately, inspire action.

RESUME 

Contact:

1133 Isabel St, Los Angeles 90065            

323-540-4884      

www.greenmeme.com 

brian.greenmeme@gmail.com

freya.greenmeme@gmail.com

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BIO: FREYA BARDELL

Freyja creates site specific and highly process driven sculptures that bring together communities through creative experiences. She researches project sites by immersing her physical and psychological self into the people and places.  She often sets up playful events that bring people into the art making conversation and spark discovery. This concept building phase is documented through conversation,writing, hand sketches, photography and video. This visual catalogue is used to create connected, integrated and fantastical three dimensional pieces. Current work explores the use of performance and movement to intuitively discover and map the attributes of public spaces.

Freyja moved​​ ​​to​​​​ ​​Los Angeles​​ ​​in​​ ​​2002 and has worked​​ ​​as​​ ​​a ​​set​ ​designer​​ ​​and​ ​production​​ ​​designer​​ ​​on​​ ​​art​​ ​​films,​​ ​​music​​ ​​videos and experiential installation art. ​She has made pieces for David Bowie, Beyoncé and many more. Her​ studio work​ ​bridges​ ​​these​​ ​​experiences​​ ​​in​ fine ​art,​​ ​​film​​ making ​​and​​ ​environmental design​​ ​​with​​ ​​her​​ ​​current​​ ​​public ​​practice,​​ ​​Greenmeme.

She lived in South and Central America, teaching English as a foreign language, making art and pursuing her curiosity to discover the world through other lenses. She continues to travel the world through art making, teaching and environmental advocacy.

BIO: BRIAN HOWE

Stepping onto the canvas of his artistic journey, Brian weaves a tapestry of diverse experiences that have shaped the artist he is today. Throughout these experiences, he was always making art, though it wasn't until after his studies at architecture school that he gained the courage to start a studio and dedicate his life to the making of art.From the hallowed halls of the US Navy Ceremonial Guard in 1992 to the collaborative art studio of Greenmeme that he co-directs today, each chapter has added a unique hue to the vibrant palette of his creative expression.

In the early 90s, Brian stood as a sentinel of honor in the US Navy Ceremonial Guard, stationed in the heart of Washington DC. For two transformative years, he guarded the ceremonial traditions of the nation, standing witness to history as he served under presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton. His commitment to duty was underscored by a Top Secret 'White House' security clearance, a testament to the trust placed in him during those monumental years. Ceremony, ornament, storytelling and embedded meaning were all creative subjects touched upon in this experience

Following his time in the Navy, the next brushstroke of Brian's journey saw him collaborating with Jean Michel Eber, in the creation of custom recording studios in the Atlanta area. The marriage of craftsmanship and creativity cultivated during this period would become integral to his artistic identity. Learning about sound, acoustics, lighting and “out of the box” construction methods were all valuable tools learned during this time that still shape his work today.

Venturing westward to Colorado, Brian became a finish carpenter and Earthship builder, crafting spaces that were not just functional but works of art in their own right. This period of architectural exploration imprinted upon him the fusion of form and function that continues to resonate in his artistic pursuits.

The year 2000 marked Brian's arrival in Los Angeles, where he immersed himself in the creative world at the Southern California Institute of Architecture until 2006. He then spent a year at Osborn Architects before co-founding Greenmeme.

As co-director of Greenmeme, Brian breathes life into projects that blend environmental consciousness, architectural prowess, and artistic innovation. This studio is a canvas where he harmonizes his roles as a craftsman, designer, and visionary, drawing inspiration from a lifetime of varied experiences.

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PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS

2018 “Wilmington Waterfront Promenade” Port of Los Angeles: In Process

2018 “Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department”  Charlotte, NC: In Process.

2017 Riverside Roundabout, Faces Of Elysian, Design of 100 foot roundabout, 9 stone sculptures and native plant landscape. Budget $1.3 M. Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. Hyphae Design Lab for civil engineering.

2017 Rise and Shine Garden, AC Bilbrew Library, Willowbrook. Garden includes Gold paint, 10 stainless steel thrones that wrap the courtyard, in 2 seating zones, concrete planters, trellis system, curated book cart, tree. Commissioning agent : Los Angeles County Art Commission

2016 Concrete Wallpaper, crowd sourced imagery collarged into a steel stencil, water blasted into shotcrete two retaining walls, approx 20’ by 1500’, I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project,  Los Angeles Metro, Kiewit, Budget $450,000. Design Fee $30,000.

2015   Lupe The Mammoth,  A 1:1 scale mammoth sculpture serves as an entryway to the Guadalupe River trail system, dimensions 20’L x  7’W x 13’H bent galvanized steel.

Client: San Jose office of Cultural Affairs / Parks and Recreation Trails Dept, Budget $175,000

Structural Engineering: Andrew Nasser 

2014 The Blue Tree Project, Photography and painting frit fused into eight 5’ by 5’ glass Art Panels set into a Bus Station, sbX Bus Rapid transit, CSUSB, under construction, budget $40,000.

2011 Hyperion: Son of Uranus, is a dimensional sewer map, made from Laser cut recycled road signs. Set on an exterior wall of an Environmental Learning Center, at the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment plant. Commissioned by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles and LA BOE. 

2011 Wired Wilderness, using nature's pulse to read climate change, Multimedia installation, Timelapse photography, Etched plywood panels, San Jose Airport, CA, Nov 2012, budget $60,000. San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs In Partnership with UC Berkeley.

2011 Chantilly Clad, Planters and Landscape, Installation included community planting workshops, Arts Council for Long Beach, Budget $5,000

2010 Chantilly Clad performance pavilion and canopy, Commissioning agent: Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, Arts Council for Long Beach with Community Redevelopment Agency, Budget $85,000.

2008 Wired Wilderness: Proposal, Finalist. Awarded $50,000 for residency to develop concept, San Jose Cultural Affairs. Artist team Freya Bardell, Brian Howe with Brent Bucknum.

SELECTED SHOWS AND GALLERY WORKS

2019 Flying Lotus Window Exhibition, Highland Park, Los Angeles for Spotify

2018 Brooklyn Art Museum, Props from Blackstar, for The David Bowie Is, 

2017 “Reimagine Everything” exhibition Print by Freyja Bardell, Metabolic Studio/UCLA

2014 “Stack​ ​&​ ​Gather”​ ​exhibition,​​ ​Wedge​ ​Gallery​,​ ​Woodbury​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Architecture

2013 “Woven​ ​Shade​ ​Canopy​ ​in​ ​Healing​ ​Garden”,​ ​​Make​ ​Art​ ​With​ ​Purpose​,​ ​UNT​ ​College​ ​of Visual​ ​Arts​ ​and​ ​Design,​ ​Denton,​ ​TX

2012 “Wired​ ​Wilderness”​, ​01SJ​ ​Biennial​,​ ​multi​ ​media​ ​installation,​ ​San​ ​Jose​ ​City​ ​Hall

2011 Robert​ ​and​ ​Frances​ ​Fullerton​ ​Museum​ ​of​ ​Art,​ ​ ​Exhibition​ ​”The​ ​Blue​ ​Tree​ ​Project”,​ ​San Bernardino

2010 01SJ​ ​Biennial,​ ​”Build​ ​Your​ ​Own​ ​World”,​ ​Climate​ ​Clock:​ ​Wired​ ​Wilderness​ ​2D​ ​illustrations, San​ ​Jose,​ ​CA

2009  “Matryoshka”,​ ​Go​ ​To​ ​The​ ​Park ​curated​ ​group​ ​show.​ ​Temporary​ ​outdoor​ ​art​ ​installation for​ ​West​ ​Hollywood​ ​Cultural​ ​Affairs.​ ​Artist​ ​team​ ​Freya​ ​Bardell​ ​and​ ​Brian​ ​Howe.

2009  “Weaving​ ​The​ ​Landscape”,​ ​International​ ​Group​ ​Show.​ ​​Horizons-Recontres​ ​Art​ ​Nature​,

Project​ ​completed​ ​June​ ​2009,​ ​The​ ​Auvergne​ ​Regional​ ​Cultural​ ​Affairs,​ ​France,​ ​

2008 GLOW​ ​festival​,​ “​Migration​ ​of​ ​The​ ​Marine​ ​Tumbleweed”,​ ​Floating​ ​sculpture,​ ​Santa Monica,​ ​CA,​ ​Santa​ ​Monica​ ​Cultural​ ​Affairs

2006-​ ​2010  “River​ ​Liver”,​  ​ongoing​ ​series​ ​of​ ​​ ​floating​ ​sculptures​ ​that​ ​look​ ​at​ ​water​ ​health​ ​and​ ​access, Included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​​Frogtown​ ​Art​ ​Walk​,​ ​Los​ ​Angeles,​ ​CA

2007  “Casa​ ​Verde”,​ ​1600​ ​SF​ ​rooftop​ ​garden​ ​with​ ​landscaping​ ​and​ ​performance​ ​area,​ B​​ order Council​ ​Of​ ​Arts​ ​and​ ​Culture​,​ ​Tijuana,​ ​Mexico

2007 “Chlorophyll​ ​Collective”,​ ​algae​ ​sculpture,​ ​lighting,​ ​pumps,​ ​​Burning​ ​Man,​ ​Green​ ​Man​, grant​ ​funded

2007​ ​​ ​​”Happening​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Courtyard”,​ ​40​ ​mini​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​gardens,​ ​rooftop​ ​garden​ ​at​ ​​Materials and​ ​Applications​,​ ​Los​ ​Angeles

PRESS

Gilmartin, Wendy, Landscape Architecture Magazine, “A Complex Crossroads” A regenerative Art Installation Cleans Stormwater Runoff, Dec 2018

Hilburg, Jonathan, The Architects Newspaper “Los Angeles’s first roundabout is a psychedelic sustainable landscape”

https://archpaper.com/2018/08/riverside-roundabout-los-angeles/#gallery-0-slide-2

Vankin,​ ​Deborah.​ ​​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Times​,​ ​Canvassing​ ​the​ ​City:​ ​A​ ​new​ ​feature​ ​on​ ​SoCal's​ ​public art​ ​starts​ ​with​ ​18​ ​faces​ ​of​ ​L.A 2018

LA​ ​Weekly​,​ ​Annual​ ​People​ ​Issue,​ ​2016

U.S​ ​Recent​ ​Projects,​ ​Chantilly​ ​Clad,​ ​​Public​ ​Art​ ​Review,​ ​ ​fall/winter​ ​2010

Judith​ ​H.​ ​Dobrzynski,​ ​on​ ​Culture,​ ​​Arts​ ​Journal​,​ ​July​ ​15,​ ​2010

Brownell,​ ​Blaine,.​ ​“A​ ​catalogue​ ​of​ ​materials​ ​that​ ​redefine​ ​our​ ​physical​ ​environment”, Transmaterial​ ​3​,​ ​January​ ​2009

Brownell,​ ​Blaine,.​ ​“A​ ​catalogue​ ​of​ ​materials​ ​that​ ​redefine​ ​our​ ​physical​ ​environment”, Transmaterial​ ​2​,​ ​January​ ​2008

Kaltenbach,​ ​Frank.,​ ​"Living​ ​Walls",​ ​​DETAIL:​ ​Review​ ​of​ ​Architecture​,​ ​Germany,​ ​December​ ​2009 Elina​ ​Shatkin.,​ ​Santa​ ​Monica​ ​prepares​ ​to​ ​Glow,​​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Times​,​ ​July​ ​17,​ ​2008

Stock,​ ​Nicole.,​ ​"Creatives​ ​in​ ​Focus"​ ​​House's​ ​New​ ​Zealand​,​ ​2008

Walker,​ ​Alissa.,​ ​"Ready​ ​Set​ ​Glow",​ ​​The​ ​Architect's​ ​Newspaper​,​ ​August​ ​13,​ ​2008

Cannell,​ ​Michael.,​ ​"A​ ​Spanish-Modern​ ​Mashup​ ​in​ ​Los​ ​Angeles",​ ​​New​ ​York​ ​Times,​​ ​June​ ​2008

PingMag.,​ ​"Design​ ​and​ ​Making​ ​things:​ ​Live​ ​with​ ​in​ ​Skin"​ ​​PingMag​,​ ​Tokyo,​ ​May​ ​23,​ ​2008 

Mocoloco.,​ ​"Eco​ ​Design”,​ ​​Mocoloco,​ ​ ​April​ ​15,​ ​2007

Young,​ ​Paul.,​ ​"EcoLogic",​ ​​Surface​,​ ​Spring​ ​fashion​ ​Issue​ ​2006

FILM AND VIDEO PRESS

LA Weekly

http://www.laweekly.com/news/two-artists-have-spent-eight-years-sculpting-the-people-of- the-la-river-valley-video-6878438

Civic​ ​Art:​ ​Four​ ​Stories​ ​from​ ​South​ ​Los​ ​Angeles 

This documentary entertainingly delves into the requisite political journeys navigated by Los Angeles-based artists as they wrestle with myriad social sensitivities, budgetary constraints and technical variables.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfS5KBb-aHU

LECTURES

FDIM Guest Speaker 2017 - 2019 Public Art and Production Design, Balancing two creative passions.

A+D​ ​Architecture​ ​and​ ​Design​ ​Museum​ ​2x1​ ​Visions​ ​of​ ​Los​ ​Angeles 2017

Public​ ​Art​ ​Practice,​ ​California​ ​Polytechnic​ ​State​ ​University​ ​Pomona,​ ​2016

Public​ ​Art​ ​Practice,​ ​California​ ​State​ ​University​ ​San​ ​Bernardino,​ ​2016

Greenmeme​ ​Studio,​ ​Seminar,​ ​UNT​ ​College​ ​of​ ​Visual​ ​Arts​ ​and​ ​Design,​ ​Denton​ ​TX​ ​2013 Greenmeme​ ​Studio,​ ​Seminar,​ ​Woodbury​ ​University,​ ​2012

Artist​ ​Initiated​ ​Projects,​ ​Panel​ ​Discussion,​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Arts​ ​Commission,​ ​2012 Public​ ​Practice,​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Art,​ ​California​ ​State​ ​University​ ​San​ ​Bernardino​ ​2012 Public​ ​Practice,​ ​Metabolic​ ​Studio​ ​Public​ ​Salon,​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​2009​ ​and​ ​2012

Wired​ ​Wilderness​ ​Proposal,​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Digital​ ​Media,​ ​Cal​ ​State​ ​University​ ​San​ ​Jose Harvard​ ​University​ ​Graduate​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Design​ ​"Art​ ​Activism",​ ​Boston​ ​MA​ ​2009

KCRW

Anderton,​ ​Frances.,​ ​Design​ ​and​ ​Architecture,​ ​KCRW

PRESS

Landscape Architecture Magazine, A Complex Crossroads, A regenerative Art Installation, By Wendy Gilmartin 2019

Los Angeles Times, Canvassing the City: A new feature on SoCal's public art starts with 18 faces of L.A 2018

LA Weekly, Annual People Issue, 2016

http://www.laweekly.com/news/two-artists-have-spent-eight-years-sculpting-the-people-of-the-la-river-valley-video-6878438

Civic Art: Four Stories from South Los Angeles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfS5KBb-aHU

Vankin, Deborah. Los Angeles Times, Canvassing the City: A new feature on SoCal's public art starts with 18 faces of L.A 

LA Weekly, Annual People Issue, 2016

U.S Recent Projects, Chantilly Clad, Public Art Review, fall/winter 2010

Judith H. Dobrzynski, on Culture, Arts Journal, July 15, 2010

Brownell, Blaine,. “A catalogue of materials that redefine our physical environment”, Transmaterial 3, January 2009

Brownell, Blaine,. “A catalogue of materials that redefine our physical environment”, Transmaterial 2, January 2008

Kaltenbach, Frank., "Living Walls", DETAIL: Review of Architecture, Germany, December 2009

Elina Shatkin., Santa Monica prepares to Glow, Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2008

Stock, Nicole., "Creatives in Focus" House's New Zealand, 2008

Walker, Alissa., "Ready Set Glow", The Architect's Newspaper, August 13, 2008

Cannell, Michael., "A Spanish-Modern Mashup in Los Angeles", New York Times, June 26, 2008

PingMag., "Design and Making things: Live with in Skin" PingMag, Tokyo, May 23, 2008

Brownell, Blaine., “A catalogue of materials that redefine our physical environment”, Transmaterial 2, January 2008

Mocoloco., "Eco Design”, Mocoloco, April 15, 2007

Young, Paul., "EcoLogic", Surface, Spring fashion Issue 2006