Rebecca Rutstein

July 26 - August 11, 2019

WaterWorks Exhibition 2019
Date: Friday, July 26th, 2019 - Sunday, August 11th, 2019
Time: All Day
Ages: Adult
Fee: FREE
Fee with Member Discount: FREE

Exhibit Dates Friday, July 26 – Sunday, August 11
Reception Saturday, July 27, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

WaterWorks will explore the immense impact of water on all life forms, as our most basic component that sustains us, providing pleasure and at times becoming a forceful threat. The exhibit will showcase artists whose work deals with contemporary themes about water in mediums such as painting, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and digital 3D prints. The artwork shown illustrates the many facets of water: the interface of land form (our island) with the ocean, the wetlands, and concepts of everything else that it impacts including organic life in water, the surface images, and the ecological implications of water and the human condition.

Participating artists include: Valda Bailey, Allen Bentley, Diane Burko, Sydney Drum, Marguerita Hagan, Stacy Levy, Chris Pfeil, Phil Renato, Rebecca Rutstein, Joseph Sweeney, Manju Shandler, Rachel Talibart, and Jason deCaires Taylor.

Rebecca Rutstein Artist Statement:

Artist at Sea Series

Collaborating with scientists and working with sonar maps of the ocean floor, and other oceanic data, along with my recent, personal experiences diving in the Alvin deep sea submersible, much of my recent work and upcoming projects focus on connecting people with the world of the deep sea, a place they may never personally see. The works on view were all created while at sea on board research vessels, including expeditions from the Galapagos Islands to California, Vietnam to Guam, off the coast of Costa Rica and Mexico’s Gulf of California. On each expedition, I set up a studio in the lab alongside marine scientists, and created works inspired by data being collected in real time. It was during my first expedition in the East Pacific in 2015 that we trailed closely behind a hurricane. The strong rocking of the ship inspired me to pour the paint and let the ship’s motion be permanently recorded in the dispersion of the paint. This process-oriented and site specific markmaking became a counterpoint to other data that I superimposed onto the canvas.

These paintings are part of a larger area of inquiry that I am exploring – more immersive, interactive installations that connect the public with the mystery and complexities of the deep sea. Through multi-sensory engagement I hope to forge a dialogue about conservation in the face of climate change. I am grateful for the support of the National Science Foundation, Ocean Exploration Trust, Schmidt Ocean Institute and National Academies of Science / Keck Futures Initiatives for these invaluable opportunities to participate on expeditions at sea and collaborate closely with scientists exploring the deep ocean.

Rebecca Rutstein, 2019

Bridgette Mayer Gallery   709 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106   tel 215 413 8893   fax 215 413 2283   bmayer@bmayerart.com   Site by exhibit-E™