Dec 21, 2022

New video, website of Neb. Capitol art seeks to inspire visitors

Posted Dec 21, 2022 10:40 PM
The mosaic, “Genius of Creative Energy,” as it appears on the floor of the State Capitol (including reflections). Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner
The mosaic, “Genius of Creative Energy,” as it appears on the floor of the State Capitol (including reflections). Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner

By PAUL HAMMEL
Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — First Lady Susanne Shore joined her husband, Gov. Pete Ricketts, on Wednesday in unveiling a new, animated video that brings the artwork of the Nebraska State Capitol to life.

Shore said the video was inspired by a visit to the Van Gogh “immersive experience” exhibit touring the country, which allows visitors to literally walk into a painting that is projected on the walls, floor and ceiling.

Capitol construction began 100 years ago

“We really hope this video helps people understand what Nebraska is all about,” Shore said.

 First Lady Susanne Shore joined her husband, Gov. Pete Ricketts, on Wednesday in announcing a new State Capitol art initiative. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)
First Lady Susanne Shore joined her husband, Gov. Pete Ricketts, on Wednesday in announcing a new State Capitol art initiative. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

The project, she said, coincides with the 100th anniversary of the beginning of construction on the Capitol, a unique skyscraper filled with sculpture and mosaics that depict the history of Nebraska, from dinosaur days to settlement by homesteaders.

The Capitol, completed in 1932, is recognized widely as an architectural masterpiece.

The project is a spinoff of the First Lady’s work in designing the new state license plate, which features an image of a mosaic at the State Capitol entitled “The Genius of Creative Energy.”

Art tells story of the state

That marble mosaic, done by artist Hildreth Meiere, takes a lead role in the 3-minute video, which utilizes the other mosaics in the State Capitol — animated so they move — to tell the story of the state.

“This is really a journey through time,” said Jessica Jarosh of Bailey Lauerman, an Omaha marketing agency that developed the video as well as a website, nebraskacapitolart.com.

The project will eventually include a coffee table book featuring photographs that Shore and Jarosh said were taken from new angles and using drone cameras.

Shore said she hoped the video and website will inspire more people to visit the State Capitol and the state.

The project was paid via private donations, primarily from Mutual of Omaha and the Acklie Charitable Foundation.