Monica Aiello
Artist Statement
For the past decade, I’ve been exploring the worlds of our solar system through paint. I’ve had a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with NASA scientists dissecting the geology of our planetary neighbors while conveying their stories in mixed-media works. Throughout this process, I’m often asked, “why planets?” To respond to this question, I’ve recently turned my focus back to Earth so to speak. Although obvious, it’s sometimes easy to forget that Earth is a planet – a marvelous, complex and fragile system we call home. My newest series embarks on a journey to investigate our unique world from the vantage point of space.
Earth is marvelously yet dauntingly complex. Its crust is shaped not only by pervasive geologic activity; the surface of Earth has been carved by humans. So I struggled with where to begin. One day, while listening to NPR, I heard a poem by Langston Hughes, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” This impressed upon me the role of rivers in shaping our planet, its habitability, history and civilizations. Around the same time, I had the chance to visit both the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park and its course through the Grand Canyon. I was struck by the story of the Colorado River in shaping the landscape and development of the American West and my new series was born.
Literally and metaphorically, rivers are the life blood of Earth. Their cycles parallel our bodies’ circulatory systems as they journey to deliver fresh water and nutrients to the land. They also have defined the development of civilizations, providing essential resources and conduits for our societies to flourish. The story of the Colorado River embodies the power of rivers as essential to land and life. My new series takes a look at the journey of the Colorado River from humble headwaters to its untimely demise before it reaches the Sea of Cortez. The Colorado River is one of the most heavily legislated, litigated and manipulated rivers in the world with international implications. Its watershed allowed for the “desert to bloom” as predicted by John Wesley Powell, but human impact has also had devastating effects on its health and the environment. From Denver to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego, the Colorado River is crucial for millions of people and huge agricultural enterprises. The American public literally feeds off the bounty of the river every day. However, this precious resource is at risk and it is truly and endangered landscape.
My new series takes a look at the Colorado River basin as captured by Earth orbiting satellites. Views from this remote sensing perspective truly highlight the journey of the Colorado River as manipulated and impacted by human development – a true example of the Anthropocene. This is dramatically seen in the contrast of the fractal and organic patterns viewed in the natural landscape as juxtaposed with the geometric manipulation of Earth’s surface pervasive in our urban and agricultural areas. For this series, I’m interested in investigating the juxtaposing forms of man vs. nature while contemplating the history and future of this remarkable, iconic and fragile resource.
Artist Bio
Denver-based artist Monica Petty Aiello is known for her mixed-media works which blend her love of art and planetary science. She often consults with noted NASA mission scientists to construct her astro-geologically inspired work. After extensive research, she creates her lush, glassy pieces by meticulously layering acrylic, varnish, ink and fiber – like strata to interpret the geomorphology of the planets and moons within our Solar System. Her work is collected and shown internationally by museums, corporate collections and private patrons, and is recognized in art, science and popular media. Her work has been exhibited at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Aspen Art Museum, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Wheaton College, Arvada Center for Art & Humanities and at many NASA events.
Monica and her husband, sculptor Tyler Aiello, have received national acclaim for their many public practice initiatives launched by their organization EUREKUS. The Aiello’s robust programs explore the intersection of the arts, sciences and communities with audiences of all ages. They are pioneers in the STEAM movement, uniting the arts with STEM education, and partner with NASA, museums, schools, colleges and companies nationally. Monica is a Lossett Visiting Professor at the University of Redlands in California and is an Educational Affiliate member of the American Astronomical Society.
Selected Exhibitions
2014 Buell Theater: Place Matters – Denver’s Arts & Venues and the Mizel and Museum; Denver, CO
2014 Wheaton College: Inner & Outer Space Exhibition; Norton, MA
2013 Center for the Arts, Art Association of Jackson Hole: Planetoloy; Jackson, WY
2013 American Astronomical Society, Division of Planetary Sciences Conference; Denver, CO
2013 Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities: Art of the State Exhibition of Colorado; Arvada, CO
2012 Diehl Gallery: Galileo’s Garden / Jackson: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Jackson, WY
2011 Rising Gallery: Galileo’s Garden / Dallas: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Dallas, TX
2011 Space Gallery: Galileo’s Garden: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Denver, CO
2010 Diehl Gallery: Cosmorphology: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Jackson, WY
2009 Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Frozen / Inferno Solo Exhibition; Colorado Springs, CO
In conjunction with NASA/ART: 50 Years of Exploration organized by the Smithsonian Institution
2009 Denver International Airport: The Art of Women Invitational, Curated by Archer Concept Group
2008 Diehl Gallery: Contiguous Garden: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Jackson, WY
2007 Meyer Milagros Gallery: Group Show; Jackson, WY
2007 Walker Fine Art: OmniModus: Tyler and Monica Aiello; Denver, CO
2006 Aspen Art Museum: Colorado Biennial-Conjoined solo exhibition; Aspen, CO
2006 Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Two Worlds: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Denver, CO
2005 Space Gallery: Two Worlds: Tyler & Monica Aiello; Denver, CO
2005 Expressions in Fine Art: Group Show; Santa Fe, NM
2005 Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: Avant Garden; Boulder, CO
2004 44T Artspace: Odyssey, Solo Show; Denver, CO
2003 Space Gallery: Requiem, Two-Person Show; Denver, CO
PUBLIC PRACTICE WORK
NASA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Johnson Space Center
Applied Physics Laboratory
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
NASA Museum Alliance
University of Colorado, Boulder
Laboratory for Atmospheric & Space Physics
Denver University
Wheaton College
University of Redlands
California College of Art
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Colorado State University
University of Colorado, Denver
Denver Office of Cultural Affairs
STEAM Connect Conference
Division of Planetary Science Conference
Colorado Art Educators Association Conference
ArtSource Colorado
Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation
Denver Art Museum
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Museum of Contemporary Art / Denver
Art Association of Jackson Hole
Bemis School of Art
Mizel Museum
Mamie Doud Public Library
Denver Public Schools
MUSEUM & CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center; Colorado Springs, Colorado
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Long-term loan; Pasadena, California
Long Point Development, Terranea Hotel; Palos Verdes, California
Harrah’s Rincon Hotel; San Diego, California
Dr. Julie Rathbun, Physics Department, University of Redlands; Redlands, California
Daniel Libeskind Museum Residences; Denver, Colorado
HealthGrades; Denver, Colorado
Startek; Denver, Colorado
Mark West Energy Partners; Denver, Colorado
Robinson, Waters & O’Dorisio; Denver, Colorado
The Millennium Building; Denver, Colorado
BMG Entertainment; New York, New York
Encana Oil & Gas; Denver, Colorado
First Data Corporation; Denver, Colorado
Harris Corporation; Denver, Colorado
Clifton Gunderson; Denver, Colorado
Premier Lofts; Denver, Colorado
Dr. Peter Vargas; Rose Medical Center; Denver, Colorado
Heizer Paul LLP; Denver, Colorado
Murray, Dahl, Kuechenmeister & Renauld; Denver, Colorado
Information Ergonomics; Denver, Colorado
Long & Page LLP; Denver, Colorado
Publications
NSTA Journal, Science & Children; NASA’s Art & the Cosmic Connection; October 2014
Art & The Cosmic Connection, a STEAM Program co-authored by Monica & Tyler Aiello for NASA’s Discovery & New Frontiers Programs
Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks, Dr. Tyler Nordgren, Springer/Praxis
Activities
American Astronomical Society, Education Affiliate
International Association of Astronomical Artists
American Geophysical Union
National Art Education Association
Colorado Art Education Association
Denver Public Schools Community Partner
Denver Quality Afterschool Connection, Champion Member
reviews
Series Featured on Rocky Mountian PBS Arts District 10/1/15 – Watch it Here
Education Week: Elementary Schools Use Extra Time for STEM Eduation; 9.16.14
Denver Post YourHub: Local artists provide STEAM education; 4.9.14
Jackson Hole News & Guide: Universal art – Art meets outer space at kids camp; 7.24.13
5280 Magazine: Outside the Lines: The Scientists Monica & Tyler Aiello; Daliah Singer Sept. 2012
Jackson Hole News & Guide: Aiellos tap cosmos for latest Diehl exhibition; Kate Hull 7.25.12
Westword Magazine Blog: Reach for the Stars at the Mizel Museum; Susan Froyd; 1.11.12
Sky & Telescope Magazine: Is There Art on Other Planets? Dr. David Grinspoon, August 2011
Westword.com: 100 Colorado Creatives: Dr. David Grinspoon, Susan Froyd, 7.12.11
Denver Post: Art Duo Opens “Galileo’s Gardens”, Kyle MacMillan, 5.6.11
Westword: Night & Day, Space is the Place, Susan Froyd, 4.21.11
Westword: Denver In Abstract; Michael Paglia, 5.12.11
Jackson Hole News & Guide: Denver duo explore natural world, cosmos, 7.28.10
CBS Television: Colorado Getaways, NASA ART SHOW, March 2010
Denver Post: Take 5: NASA Missions Celebrated; Kyle MacMillan 12.18.09
Colorado Springs Gazette: NASA Exhibit: Art center goes to infinity and beyond; 12.17.09
Colorado Springs Gazette.com: NASA show is astronauts and rockets and so much more; 2.17.09
Colorado Springs Independent: Art of the cosmos lands at the FAC and unveils a creative look atexploration; 12.17.09
Denver Post: Best Bets; Critic’s Choice, Kyle Macmillan; 3.9.09
Jackson Hole News & Guide: Of Heaven and Earth: Diehl Gallery features Aiellos in ‘Garden’; 9.10.08
Westword: Michael Paglia, Moons and Metal; 5.17.07
Rocky Mountain News: Mary Voelz Chandler, Omni Modus; 5.4.07
KUVO 89.3FM, Radio Interview with Hillary de Pollo, 4.13.07
Denver Post: Two Trendy Takes on Downtown Design, Room Section, 4.26.07
Vail Daily/The Aspen Times: Aspen biennial embraces Colorado artists; 10.24.06
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Aspen biennial takes artful turn; 10.19.06
Aspen Daily News: Damien Williamson, Top Colorado Artists; 10.5.06
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Artists draw from the cosmos for inspiration; 3.17.06
Westword: Space Cases: DMNS and the Aiellos are a match made in the heavens; 2.23.06
