Norman Arts Council is looking to turn one man’s trash into everyone’s piece of public art with a project coinciding with the Pioneer Library System’s Summer Solstice Celebration centering around the public art piece Prairie Wind by artist James Johnson made possible by the Norman Forward 1% for Art Program.

Norman Arts Council is currently collecting donations of clean, used plastic bags to create Museo Aero Solar, an artwork designed by Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno and built by Norman’s local community.

Museo Aero Solar is a floating museum made entirely of re-used plastic bags donated by the public. The device floats, completely fossil-fuel free, powered only by the heat of the sun. Museo Aero Solar relies on the participation and inventiveness of our citizens, to collectively build and launch it. The project has initiated workshops and social gatherings in more than 28 locations worldwide.

Please donate your used, clean plastic bags, which can be dropped off at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 through Friday, June 14 and Monday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 18.

The community is also invited to help build the Museo Aero Solar itself from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 through Thursday, June 20 at The Mercury, 426 E. Main, Norman.

The Museo Aero Solar will be launched — weather permitting — on Friday, June 21 during the Summer Solstice Celebration at Pioneer Library System East Branch, 3051 Alameda, Norman.

James Johnson will give a lecture at 4 p.m. that Friday, June 21, and the Pioneer Library System will lead a variety of other activities, including Sunrise Yoga on the Patio (7 to 8 a.m.), Solstice Meditation (8 to 9 a.m.), Summer Solstice Story Time (11 to 11:30 a.m.) and Solstice Solar Printing (5:30 to 7 p.m.). Registration for activities may be required, and you can learn more and do so at pioneerlibrarysystem.org.

HOW & WHEN TO PARTICIPATE:

Drop Off Plastic Bags:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 through Friday, June 14 or Monday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 18
MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main, Norman

Build the Museo Aero Solar:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 through Thursday, June 20
The Mercury, 426 E. Main, Norman

Launch:
Friday, June 21
Pioneer Library System East Branch, 3051 Alameda, Norman