From July 18 –
August 15, The Folk Tree presents Noah’s Ark: Two by Two,
a group exhibition including the work of approximately forty artists
invited to interpret the story and the animals that populate it.
Ark imagery and both real and mythological pairs of creatures in
a wide variety of media are on view. Artists’ imaginations
have literally run wild for this exhibition, with arks made from
unusual materials such as palm fronds, and missing links and harpies
among the species represented. The opening reception is scheduled
for Saturday, July 18, from 2 – 6 P.M. Noah’s journey is familiar to biblical scholars and laymen alike. The story of the flood is integral to the major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and similar narratives are found in other traditions. Religious and scientific perspectives of the event often differ, sparking discussions between biblical literalists and those who view it philosophically or as a natural phenomenon. Potentially controversial, definitely fascinating, Noah’s Ark provides a wonderful visual vocabulary for artistic expression. In the case of this exhibition, the tale and its cast of characters are often portrayed with compassionate whimsy. Terry Davitt Powell, whose mixed media work “Noah Counted on Crows” is on display, comments, “It is stated that Noah sent crows (or ravens) to look for land after the rains stopped. The crows came back with nothing in their beaks for several days and then, when they didn’t return, Noah figured they found land and he sent the dove to confirm this. The dove brought back the branch with leaves. My piece focuses on this part of the story - the pair of crows flying over the waves as the weather clears and the weary ark waits.” Patricia Krebs created a three dimensional mixed media ark of mythological creatures entitled "Keeping Their Stories Alive." She says, “My ark does not include two of each species, because I thought they should mix and create new magical breeds.” About forty species are represented, among them armadillos, cockroaches, dolphins, gazelles, penguins, rabbits, snakes, tortoises; and of course, cats and dogs, and lions, tigers and bears. Some of the other artists included are: painters Walter Askin, Rennie Rau Marquez, Janet Olenik and Katrin Wiese; paper mache artists Ulla Anobile and Joel Garcia; ceramists Stefani Gruenberg and Johanna Hansen; and mixed media artists Maria Rendon and Patricia Anders. The Folk Tree is located near the heart of Old Pasadena at 217 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For more information, contact Gail Mishkin at 626/793-4828 or The Folk Tree at 626/795-8733. |
|
|
|
