In collaboration with Irvine-based nonprofit Project Backboard, artist Katy Ann Gilmore has transformed four basketball courts at Great Park into vibrant art for the free exhibition “GAME! Basketball and Contemporary Art.” The show runs May 17-July 26 at the Great Park Gallery. We caught up with Gilmore.
What was the inspiration behind the court designs?
I wanted the courts to feel connected and part of one design, particularly from above. While players move around the court, viewers from above can find connections in their movement to the shapes.
What do you hope visitors feel when playing on these courts?
I hope they feel like part of the work. Without the players, the design embodies movement, but not to the extent when viewers participate in the work. This dynamic shifts according to game-play, and a different work of art is created during each game.
How is creating art for a basketball court challenging?
Something unique was the need to avoid 2-inch lines so they don’t compete with court lines. A lot of my work is line-heavy, so that immediately cut off that part of my brain, and I turned to shapes.
How does your work contribute to the mission of Project Backboard?
Revitalizing these courts emphasizes that those visiting the park – playing or watching basketball – matter. These courts are a large part of the community’s routine, and it’s an honor to play a role.
