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Ignite! The Art of Sustainability

  • Description
  • Specs
  • Schedule

Description

The catalyst for this traveling exhibition was an event planned by the Green Museums Initiative (GMI) of the California Association of Museums in October 2011.

GMI hosted statewide dialogues on regional ecological issues and the role museums might play in building healthy communities, both human and in nature.

Contemporary artists from each region joined museum leaders, scientists, environmentalist, and community stakeholders for the daylong discussions.

“Cirsium vulgare” by artist Penelope Gottlieb, 2012. Medium: Acrylic/ink over Audubon print.
“A River Runs Through Me” by artist Sant Khalsa, 2012. Medium: Gelatin silver photograph.
“Rubus armeniacus” by artist Penelope Gottlieb, 2011. Medium: Acrylic/ink over Audubon print.
“Life of a Redwood” by artist Linda MacDonald, 2012. Medium: Oil on canvas.

Ignite! The Art of Sustainability exhibits the dynamic works created by these artists based on their discussions and the issues that arose in each regional dialogue. Thirteen of California’s foremost environmental artists collaborate to communicate a heightened connection to their natural surroundings through rich imagery using a variety of media from the traditional (photographs, painting, and video) to the unconventional (smog /particulate matter on porcelain). Together, their approach is multidisciplinary, drawing on art, science, spirituality, and social justice.

What emerges are the unique traits of California’s ecological regions and the range of extremes present in our state. Curated by Kate Davies, independent curator and writer.

Exhibition Video Tour

Roundtable Artists / Region

  • Kim Abeles / Los Angeles Basin
  • Robert Dawson / Bay-Delta-Monterey Peninsula
  • Sant Khalsa / Southland Deserts-Inland Empire
  • Judith Lowry / Sierra Nevada Western & Eastern Foothills
  • Linda MacDonald / Northern California-Redwood Empire
  • Ann Savageau / Central Valley
  • Kim Stringfellow / San Diego

Additionally, other contemporary California artists were added to deepen the exploration of California’s ecology at local and regional levels.

These artists include:

  • Penelope Gottlieb / Santa Barbara
  • Newton and Helen Mayer Harrison / Bay Area
  • Gyöngy Laky / Bay Area
  • Luke Matjas / LA Basin
  • Daniel McCormick / Bay Area

Specs

Audience:
General
Rental Fee:
RETIRED
Size:
Approximately 1,500-2,000 square feet
Security:
High

Exhibit Components:

  • 27 original artworks with labels – most have not been previously exhibited
  • Interpretive labels include background information and quotes
  • Mindful exhibition fabrication – reused and repurposed materials and art crates that are reused or built by suppliers that utilize green business practices
  • Public Program Grants available

Schedule and Availability

Past Dates

June 18 – August 31, 2012
UC Davis Design Museum, Davis
September 23, 2012 – November 18, 2012
Humboldt State University Art Gallery, Arcata
February 10, 2013 – April 7, 2013
Arte Americas: Casa de Cultura, Fresno
August 11, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena
January 26, 2014 – May 11, 2014
Longmont Museum, Longmont, CO
June 15, 2014 – August 10, 2014
Museum of History & Art, Ontario
August 24, 2014 – October 19, 2014
Fullerton Arboretum
November 2, 2014 – December 28, 2014
AVAILABLE
January 11, 2015 – March 8, 2015
AVAILABLE
March 22, 2015 – May 17, 2015
Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah

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