Tara Donovan, Styrofoam, and My Future Self?
Exploring Tara Donovan’s “Aggregation” installation at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, was nothing short of transformative. I walked in expecting to simply admire art, but instead, I found myself immersed in an alternate dimension where styrofoam cups had somehow become living, breathing entities. For those unfamiliar with Donovan's work, she transforms everyday materials—objects you wouldn’t even give a second glance—into monumental, otherworldly landscapes. The woman makes styrofoam look ethereal—styrofoam, of all things! The very same material that fast-food chains have been slowly moving away from!
What strikes me about her work is the perfect balance between order and chaos. Up close, you can see the repetition, the meticulous precision, and the obsessive placement of each cup. But step back, and the entire piece seems to pulse with life, like a frozen wave or a mysterious alien landscape. It’s as if nature and industrial manufacturing collided to create something entirely new, and this is what it became.
The textured surface of Donovan's monumental sculpture, capturing the subtle interplay of light and shadow, as the aggregation of acrylic rods evokes the natural world—like a mineral or petrified plant—within the gallery space at the Bruce Museum.
A shot of the installation under the carefully positioned overhead lighting and natural sunlight streaming through the gallery’s ceiling panels, enhancing the sculptural quality of the acrylic rods and giving the piece an almost living, ethereal glow.
The lighting in the exhibit plays a huge role in this experience. Soft, focused overhead lights cast just the right glow, highlighting the sculptural quality of the cups while adding a dreamlike atmosphere. It creates a sense of mystery, making the piece feel both grounded in reality and entirely out of this world. It felt like I wasn’t just looking at the art—I was becoming part of it.
“Is this my future self? Or just me in 40 years? “
— Steven-Patrick Brown
As I stood there, lost in the work, I spotted an older woman across the room. She gazed at the piece with an expression that seemed both knowing and nostalgic. And for a brief moment, I wondered, Is this my future self? Or just me in 40 years? Time is funny, and it’s amazing how art can make you reflect on it so deeply. And, let’s be real, so is good lighting.
But beyond that moment of self-reflection, what stayed with me was how humbling the whole experience was. Tara Donovan’s work reminds me that beauty exists in the mundane, and that repetition—whether in art or life—isn’t just about routine. It’s the foundation of something greater. If we embrace the small, seemingly insignificant moments, maybe we’ll end up creating something bigger than ourselves, something worth admiring.
Her work speaks to me as a reminder that persistence and attention to detail—those “styrofoam cup moments”—have the power to transform. And perhaps, if I keep showing up, stacking my metaphorical cups, I might create something beautiful too.
Tara Donovan’s “Aggregation” is currently on view at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend paying a visit. It’s a mesmerizing, thought-provoking experience that’s well worth the time. In the meantime, I’ll be watching for my future self in museum reflections, soaking up every moment of it.
A sweeping view of Tara Donovan's “Aggregation” installation, showcasing the stunning transformation of everyday styrofoam cups into an otherworldly landscape.