WaterFire Providence presents Our Future, Planet Earth, and The Environment at the WaterFire Arts Center (WFAC) an exhibition of art and science looking at the beauty and fragility of our world. This exhibition will be at WFAC from Saturday March 19 to Sunday May 1, 2022. There will also be a closing for tickets on Monday March 28 through Tuesday April 5, 2022.
PROGRAMMING FOR THE UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Monday, April 18, 6:30pm Panel Discussion, “Climate Change: Optimism and Action” with the University of Rhode Island
Saturday, April 23, 1:00 – 4:00pmWorkshop on Paper Making with Artist Haley MacKeil
Saturday, April 23, 2:00 – 2:45pmCome Feed the Official RI State Floral with the Sharp Lab, Roger Williams University
Saturday, April 23rd, 3:00pm Lecture, “Climate and Sea Level Change in Rhode Island: Are UN Trouble?” with Brown University Prof. Baylor Fox-Kemper
Thursday, April 28, 6:30pm Lecture, “From Denial to Obstruction: Why We Need to Understand Efforts to Stop Action on Climate Change” with Brown University Prof. J. Timmons Roberts
Our Future, Planet Earth and the EnvironmentThanks to the generosity of the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium; Kathleen and Barry Hittner, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography; Brown University; and Roger Williams Park Zoo. Refreshments and catering sponsored by Plant City.
Luke Jerrams: Experience itGaiaA massive 23-inch representation of the entire Earth. It creates an overview effect. This effect has been often reported by astronauts who feel a shift in their perception of fragile blue marble hanging in space. GaiaFeatured at the UN Glasgow Summit, and features imagery by NASA. Joan Hall will present her luminous, engaging and massive work. Algae Bloom. Richard Friedberg has six large sculptures of atmospheric phenomena, ranging from a tidal waves to a 21-foot tornado, that are stunning and mesmerizing. Judy Chicago, one founder of Ecofeminism has returned to revisit this work in three bold, new editions that will be available starting in 2022. Dennis Hlynsky created a new technique for capturing birds in flight with stunning results and much more.
Our Future, Planet Earth and the Environment also includes a visual overview of the roots and development of the climate crisis with scientific observations between 1826, when the use of coal was first foreseen as a possible threat to mankind, up to our newest efforts to solve the climate crisis, such as the national leadership in offshore wind power development shown with Rhode Islands Block Island Wind Farm.
The exhibition includes works by William Bradford, David Burdeny, Judy Chicago, Richard Friedberg, Joan Hall, Martin Johnson Heade, Katsushika Hokusai, Dennis Hlynsky, Duane Isaac, Luke Jerram, Young Joon Kwak, Sarah Jane Lapp, Janice Lardey, Haley MacKeil, Qing Liu, Joseph E. Yoakum, David Whyte, Faith Wilding
Entry is free to all. Donations are encouraged.
The WaterFire Arts Centers HOURSWednesday, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are open from late to 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. (Friday nights are a unique feature of this exhibit.
Special thanks to the Rhode Island institutions which helped us create this exhibit, including the Providence Public Library Special Collections, RISD Museum for Art, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Rustigian Rugs, Providence Marriott Downtown, Dassault Systmes, Providence Fire Fighters IAFF Local 799, Providence Fire Department, The Providence Journal, Providence Parks Department, and Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History.
EXHIBITION STATEMENT
BARNABY EVAANS, CURATOR
Artists and scientists of all cultures have long loved the beauty and magnificence of the Earth. Both use vision to grasp the empirical facts of the world, and imagery to communicate their ideas and conclusions. This exhibition features thirty extraordinary artworks by contemporary artist that reflect the interconnectedness of the natural world. It also provides an overview of the history and current status of the climate crisis, from the first scientific observation in the year 1826 that saw the use of coal as possible danger to mankind, to the most recent efforts to address the crisis such as the Rhode Islands national leadership in off-shore wind power.
Also included are photographs and artworks from multiple cultures, spanning two centuries. Some of these photos trace Rhode Island connections to the larger story of exploration, discovery, and exploitation.
The curatorial approach is not based on art history but rather, it is based on the principles of curatorial practice. [to better match its subject]It examines what we might call the ecology of our perceptual understanding of and framing the interconnected networks theory and knowledge that relate to the environmental crisis. These often hidden meanings, contexts, metaphors, and perspectives are what determine and frame our understanding of the crisis and our moral relationship to the truth, each other, and the world. These many understandings can make it difficult for us to reach consensus on the best solutions and complicate our conversations about environment.
The climate crisis is the most serious existential threat to our species, but it is entirely our fault. We know this; we know how to fix it; yet, we struggle to reach consensus on taking action. This exhibition explores the issues in this conundrum, with the hope that we can better identify, discuss, and solve the problems facing us and find a way forward for our planet.
If we are to move forward, we need the creativity of artists and the ingenuity provided by scientists. The overview effect gave astronauts new perspectives on the fragile beauty and completeness of the planet. The arts also offer a window to new ways to better understand our interconnected world and help us rekindle the resolve to face these challenges.
About the author
WaterFire Providence has grown over the past 10+ years thanks to the incredible co-workers, volunteers, and volunteers. My team and I are the Director of Creative Services. We work on visual communications, graphic designs, visitor experience, merchandising, as well as project management for the WaterFire Arts Center’s programming. It’s an amazing experience to be part of the ‘Rhode Island Experience’ for tens and thousands of people. I take great pride in Downtown Providence and the Valley neighborhood.