A Journey of Sand and Light

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Sweet Sparkman participated in the 2012 Venice Biennale for Architecture, presenting an exhibit that explored the theme of "Common Ground" through the lens of Siesta Key’s 99% pure quartz sand. The installation transformed this locally significant material, renowned for its pristine quality, into an interactive experience that examined its origins, properties, and transformation over time. Shipped over 5,000 miles to Venice, the sand created a new base for the exhibit, altering perceptions of place and sparking sensory and emotional connections.

The exhibit showcased the sand's journey from the Appalachian Mountains to Florida's beaches and reimagined it as a vitreous wall, symbolizing its transformation. By placing Sarasota’s iconic material in a Venetian context, the installation provoked dialogue about the intersection of material, place, and light. This collaborative effort, remounted at the Sarasota Museum of Art in 2014, underscored Sweet Sparkman’s commitment to exploring context and materiality in design.