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Boston Globe

Mike Geiger lights up ‘Winteractive' at New England Aquarium

Advertisement Animator and sculptor Mike Geiger with "Nature's Solace," an illuminated sculpture in front of the New England Aquarium. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff His 6-foot-tall luminous structures made from recycled plastic, 'Nature's Glow' (at 2 Avery St.) and 'Nature's Solace' (outside New England Aquarium), shelter beds of flowers and foliage. 'I definitely see them as characters,' Geiger said. 'I feel like I know their personalities.' With each work in the series, 'the idea is it's like a spirit guardian that's taking care of their foliage,' he said. He sees more of these benign protectors of nature in his future. 'Ideally,' he said, 'we have families of characters.' A detail of Mike Geiger's "Nature's Solace." The illuminated, character-driven sculpture shelters beds of flowers and foliage. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff Where to find him: Age : 49 Originally from : White Rock, British Columbia Lives in : Toronto Studio : Geiger works on the sculptures nights and weekends 'wherever I can find space in my home,' he said. Mike Geiger, "Nature's Solace," presented as part of the Downtown Boston Alliance's 'Winteractive' outdoor art experience. Annielly Camargo/Downtown Boston Alliance The 'biggest thing' for him as an artist: 'The animation industry in America is super struggling right now,' he said. 'I don't know that people outside of the art world understand how intrusive AI is.' AI sources what it generates from How he started : Geiger's design sensibility was shaped by skateboarding in the 1980s and '90s. When he was ready for college, his local art school rejected him. 'Then my mother called me and said, 'Don't worry about it. I signed you up for an animation class on the weekends.'' Geiger said. 'I fell in love within the first week.' Advertisement That experience got him into Mike Geiger cutting flowers to be used in "Nature's Solace." David L. Ryan/Globe Staff How he works : Developing his sculptures, the artist starts with sketches to see what sort of character springs up. Then he imports the drawings into Advice for artists : 'This is a really tricky question because I have a 9-year-old son who wants to be an artist, and it's like, well, what's the future with AI?,' Geiger said. But he still believes: 'If you're passionate about what you do, no matter what the situation, there will be a road for you.' Cate McQuaid can be reached at