FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER, 2005
REBECCA RUTSTEIN “EBB AND FLOW” – New Works
Philadelphia, PA - The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is pleased to present its third solo exhibition of Philadelphia artist Rebecca Rutstein. “Ebb and Flow” will run from November 2 – November 26, 2005 with an opening reception Friday, November 4th from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The exhibition will feature a series of twenty new 12” square paintings created while the artist was working from a travel grant in Hawaii. The exhibition will also include an installation derived from the seismic waveforms of Hawaiian earthquakes.
Rebecca Rutstein is a passionate artist who has always had an interest in the study of geology. Her work explores themes such as plate tectonics, formation of mountain ranges, volcanoes, fossilization and subduction all as reflections of the challenges of human life. The sometimes violent, sometimes benign evolution of the earth itself becomes a striking metaphor for interpersonal relationships in our time.
Rutstein’s new paintings continue to explore the themes of geologic forces and interpersonal relationships consistent with her former work. She juxtaposes multiple vantage points within her paintings and continues to experiment with the shift between abstract and representational styles. Rutstein also examines the relationship between geologic maps and the internal organization of the human body. For example, she explores the notion of lava flow diagrams as depictions of human organs.
All the work in the exhibition was created while Rutstein was doing a residency on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a tremendously inspiring place for her. “It was my intention to explore the volcanoes in every perspective possible: on the surface –hiking inside inactive craters and on previous lava flows, in the air by helicopter over active vents and lava entry points into the ocean, and underground –caving through complex networks of lava tubes. I managed to accomplish what I set out to do, and more,” says Rutstein. Her paintings will be exhibited in one continuous horizontal sequence designed to reference the schematic organization of a lava cave system.
A small installation will also accompany the collection of paintings. Rutstein became interested in the recorded seismic waveforms of the many small earthquakes that go along with volcanic events. She slowly traced by hand the waveforms of each Hawaiian earthquake while she carefully focused on her breathing and body. She observed the striking similarity between cardiogram readings to seismogram readings. This exercise inspired an installation of these drawings accompanied by the sounds of human breathing, heart beats, and waveform sounds.
Rebecca Rutstein received her M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and her B.F.A. from Cornell University. The artist has completed several residencies including a recent one at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Canada and one at the Vermont Studio Center. This is the artist’s third solo exhibition at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery for which she received a travel grant from the Bridgette Mayer Gallery. She was also awarded a Pew Grant in 2004, and was recently featured in solo shows at the List Gallery, Swarthmore College in the fall of 2004 and at the Philadelphia Art Alliance in the fall of 2005. In 2002 Rutstein also had a solo exhibit at the Fleisher Art Memorial during their Challenge Series. “Ebb and Flow” will run through November 26th, 2005. The artist will be present at the opening reception November, 4th from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 - 5:30 p.m., other days by appointment. For additional information please contact Bridgette Mayer, 215.413.8893 Fax 215.413.2283
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