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March Issue 2006
Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, NC, Features Exhibition on Contemporary Views of Nature
Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, NC, is presenting the exhibition, Uneasy Nature, on view through May 18, 2006.
There is no doubt that the world is changing around us at an ever-escalating rate. Medical advances, fueled today by genetic research; technological advances that astoundingly have altered the time and ways in which we communicate; radar equipment that increasingly is able to pinpoint the eye of the storm - all of these relatively recent accomplishments are to be lauded. Yet, many share the feeling that the tail may soon indeed be wagging the dog.
We are uneasy: uneasy about the political, religious or other constituencies that may influence future investments in biotechnology; uneasy about the possibility of being "engineered" by medicine; and certainly uneasy about the fact that Mother Nature seems to be warning us about our continued affronts to her. We could say that the strange new world is already upon us, but perhaps we're not paying close enough attention to what is next.
The Weatherspoon Art Museum is excited to present this exhibition, Uneasy Nature, and to explore with our visitors some of the many pressing questions that it poses. Thinking ahead of the curve, the artists included offer provocative, engaging, often stunningly beautiful work that addresses some of the concerns being raised about our bio-techno world.
Today our idealistic concepts of nature are proving to be archaic, and we are re-awakening to a new version of nature that is of mythic character. The works in Uneasy Nature manifest this uncomfortable view of a nature strangely altered through cross-pollination with culture and technology.
Roxy Paine
Uneasy Nature brings together sculpture, drawing, photography and digital animation by six internationally recognized artists who incorporate mythology and narrative to reflect on the evolving perception of nature in contemporary culture. Artists include: Lee Bul (Korea), Bryan Crockett (US), Roxy Paine (US), Patricia Piccinini (Australia), Alyson Shotz (US) and Jennifer Steinkamp (US).
The exhibition was organized by Weatherspoon Art Museum curator of exhibitions, Xandra Eden. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with full color images of the work in the exhibition, artists' biographies, and essays by Eden and British cultural historian, critic and novelist Marina Warner. The catalogue for Uneasy Nature is made possible through the generous support of the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, and is available for purchase in the Weatherspoon Gift Shop.
Related events being offered in conjunction with the exhibit at the Weatherspoon Art Museum include:
On Mar. 14, 2006, at 2pm - Tuesdays @ Two - Take a free 20 minute docent-led tour of the exhibition, Uneasy Nature.
On Mar. 18, 2006, at 2pm - Family Fun Workshop - Youth and adults are invited to join this fun workshop about looking at and creating art. This month features an art-making activity inspired by the Uneasy Nature exhibition. Adults must remain with children at all times. Recommended one adult per three children, ages 5-12 years. Free, pre-registration required, call 336/256-1449.
On Mar. 23, 2006, at 7pm - Film: Spirited Away. Acclaimed Japanese animé adventure in which a young girl wanders into a town filled with monsters and witches, and humans are changed into animals. Dir. Hayao Miayzaki, 2002, (PG). Free to the public.
On Apr. 2, 2006, from 2-4pm - Weatherspoon Spring Family Day. A day of nature-based arts and crafts, recycling workshops, and puppets: the Paperhand Puppet Intervention troupe uses a variety of puppetry styles to help promote social change, peace, and hope for a better world. Music by violinist Gabriele Luciano Pelli. Food and refreshments. Free to the public.
On Apr. 25, 2006, at 7pm - Panel Discussion: Fact or Fear? Genetics and Public Perception. Celebrate your unique genetic code on National DNA Day by joining artist Bryan Crockett, Uneasy Nature; Dr. Vincent Henrich, Director of Institute for Health, Science and Society and Professor, Department of Biology at UNC-G; and Dr. Barbra Rothschild, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Social Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill for an informative discussion on our fascination with and perception of genetic research and biotechnology. Free to the public, limited seating.
For more information
check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Museum at
336-334-5770 or at (www.weatherspoon.uncg.edu).
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