Imagine
Imagine represents a extraordinary intersection of natural history, ocean transformation, and contemporary artistic vision through an investment-quality infinity mirror sculpture that transforms a rare ocean-weathered old-growth redwood into a meditation on possibility and environmental resilience. This museum-caliber artwork by Christi Meril demonstrates sophisticated collaboration with Dallas neon artist Trent Atkinson, creating a piece that appeals to discerning collectors of environmental art, technology-integrated sculpture, and historically significant materials.
The foundation of this remarkable piece carries profound environmental and geological significance, This old-growth redwood remnant experienced a unique oceanic journey after being cut down, spending years in Pacific waters before being naturally deposited on a California beach where it was sustainably collected by the artist in 2024. This extraordinary provenance creates a one-of-a-kind artistic material that cannot be replicated, making this sculpture exceptionally rare in contemporary art markets.
The ocean’s transformative power becomes central to the artwork’s narrative and visual impact. Years of saltwater immersion bleached the exterior wood to create dramatic pale, weathered surfaces while preserving the interior’s stunning natural red heartwood. When Northern California craftsmen cut into the piece, they revealed this breathtaking contrast between ocean-transformed exterior and vibrant interior wood – a natural metaphor for hidden potential and resilient beauty that aligns perfectly with the sculpture’s “Imagine” message.
Meril’s artistic vision capitalizes on this natural drama through sophisticated infinity mirror technology that endlessly repeats the word “Imagine” – rendered in the artist’s personal handwriting and transformed into cobalt blue neon through collaboration with established Dallas artist Trent Atkinson. The cobalt blue neon represents exceptional artistic sophistication, as this uncommon neon color requires specialized techniques and materials, adding significant technical and aesthetic value to the piece.
The infinity effect creates a mesmerizing contemplative experience that draws viewers into endless reflection about imagination’s power – envisioning better futures, creative possibilities, environmental restoration, and personal transformation. The ocean-weathered redwood provides profound symbolic resonance, suggesting that even materials exposed to harsh conditions can be transformed into objects of transcendent beauty and meaning.
Authentic details enhance the piece’s historical authenticity and collector appeal, including traces of original beach sand still embedded in the wood’s weathered surfaces. These organic elements provide tangible connection to the sculpture’s oceanic journey and California coastal origins, appealing particularly to collectors interested in pieces with documentable provenance and environmental storytelling.
The sophisticated presentation meets museum standards with dimensions of 56″ height x 20″ width, creating substantial visual presence suitable for high-end residential collections, corporate installations, and gallery exhibitions. The professional acrylic French cleat mounting system ensures secure installation while maintaining clean aesthetic lines that highlight the dramatic wood grain patterns and neon illumination.
This investment-quality artwork appeals to multiple collector demographics including environmental art enthusiasts, ocean-themed collections, California regional art patrons, technology-integrated contemporary art collectors, and clients seeking meaningful statement pieces with historical significance. The collaborative aspect with Trent Atkinson adds credibility and market value while demonstrating the growing trend of interdisciplinary artistic partnerships.
For interior designers and art consultants, “Imagine” offers clients a sophisticated solution that serves as both striking visual centerpiece and meaningful conversation starter about environmental resilience, creative potential, and the intersection of natural history with contemporary artistic innovation. The piece works particularly well in contemporary settings where clients value both aesthetic impact and conceptual depth with authentic historical materials.
The environmental consciousness embedded in this work appeals strongly to collectors prioritizing sustainable art practices and pieces contributing to larger conversations about ocean conservation, climate adaptation, and creative responses to environmental change. The documented oceanic journey adds narrative depth that resonates with collectors interested in artworks that tell compelling stories about natural processes and human creativity.
Technical Innovation: The cobalt blue infinity mirror represents cutting-edge integration of rare neon colors with advanced lighting systems, appealing to collectors interested in technologically sophisticated artworks and installation pieces that create immersive viewing experiences with uncommon materials.
