A Point Stretched: Views on Time, November 4, 2022 – July 9, 2023, Plaza and Gibson Galleries, San José Museum of Art.

Momentum: An Experience in the Unexpected, October 2, 2014 - February 22, 2015, New Wing, Second Floor, North and Central Skylight Galleries, San José Museum of Art.

Variations on a Theme, May 23, 2009 - February 7, 2010, New Wing, Second Floor, Central Skylight Gallery, San José Museum of Art. (Included in Part II: August 1, 2009-February 7, 2010.)

It's About Time: Celebrating 35 Years, October 3, 2004 - February 13, 2005
New Wing, Gibson Family Gallery and Plaza Gallery, First Floor, San José Museum of Art.

Momentum: An Experience in the Unexpected (2014-2015)

Affecting a range of physical and emotional responses, Jennifer Steinkamp strives to erase the boundary between viewer and object by constructing totally immersive environments. In Fly to Mars, No. 1, Steinkamp creates the illusion of a hyper-animated and seemingly strong-willed tree. Shifting from spring blossoms, to abundant summer greenery, to warm russet fall leaves and finally bare winter branches, the tree moves through the four seasons. Simultaneously it twists and bends, as though attempting to break free from the earth and take flight into the cosmos.


Variations on a Theme (2009-2010)

Borrowing from her background in film and her experience as a California native, Steinkamp’s Fly to Mars, No.1 is an animated version of a tree alive with movement. Cycling through the four seasons, the tree’s foliage shifts from flowering in spring, abundant greenery in summer, warm russet in fall and bare branches in winter. Simultaneously, the tree makes a ninety-degree twist from side to side within the space of a single season, while the branches bow down and then shoot upwards, as though attempting to break free from the earth’s gravity and take flight into the cosmos. Fly to Mars, No.1 provides the illusion of a three-dimensional living object, one that is hyperanimated and seemingly strong-willed, aspiring to leave behind the here-and-now—an interpretation supported by the artwork’s whimsical title. Fly to Mars, No. 1 contains a touch of autobiography, as the artist has consistently pushed beyond the limitations of her genre, imagining new and uncharted territories ripe for exploration, with technology in her service.

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

• Variations on a Theme San Jose Museum of Art , 5/23/2009 - 2/7/2010

• Image Dimensions: 168 x 216 in. (426.72 x 548.64 cm)

This object has the following bibliographic references:

• Selections: The San Jose Museum of Art Permanent Collection. Selections: The San Jose Museum of Art Permanent Collection San Jose Museum of Art. San Jose, CA, 2004
  Page Number: 208-209

This object is a member of the following portfolios: