Richard Zelens: Beginning Sphere

From his studies in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism and incorporating traditional motifs, Richard Zelens created a large mandala environment based on the elements of space, air, fire, water, and earth. The sphere was 33′ in diameter and composed of 52 hand-painted batik silk panels, each 13×4′. The panels were hung to form a walk-in mandala, allowing the viewer to experience the elements and their colors: blue, green, red, white, and yellow (respectively)

Excerpted from Brentano, R., & Savitt, M. (1981). 112 Workshop, 112 Greene Street: History, artists & artworks. New York: New York University Press.