Heaven Putt Hell - Art Course Design
I created the concept, initial design, and a playable model of what would eventually become an official Art Course mini-golf hole at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.
Marsden Hartley, Himmel, ca. 1914-1915, Oil on canvas with artist-painted wood frame. Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/23315/
Project background
The art piece I selected as inspiration was Himmel by Marsden Hartley. Hartley merges the themes of childhood and war, which I found directly fitting to become a playable (and slightly competitive) mini-golf hole. The German words Himmel and Hölle translate to Heaven and Hell, hence my name of Heaven Putt Hell, where the player does not have true choice in the outcome of their putt. The ramp leads to a barrel with multiple built-in paths, either helping the player get a hole-in-one (Himmel), or sending their ball out a hidden hole in the back (Hölle).
Hole In One
I used cardboard, glue, and paper mâché techniques to create a playable model which recreated Hartley’s painting style.
Completed Art Course
The Nelson Atkins hired outside parties to fabricate the 9 artist-designed courses, and they are playable in the warmer months outside the museum.