Edgescapes is a bi-coastal exploration of work in all media which reflects the direct influence (physical, psychological, emotional, practical) of location on art. The seven artists included from each city approach this theme in terms of geographical history, topography, cultural connection and mobility, reflecting in their work the influence of local formations or meditations on the question of place.
"Especially after the event we just experienced in New York which
will change our cityscape forever, we hope Edgescapes provides a
springboard for dialog about our strong visual connection places,
what they are and what they come to represent" - Jessica
Reeves-Cohen
EDGESCAPES is a bi-coastal exploration of work in all media which
reflects the direct influence (physical, psychological,
emotional, practical) of location on art. The seven artists
included from each city approach this theme in terms of geographical
history, topography, cultural connection and mobility, reflecting
in their work the influence of local formations or meditations on
the question of place.
They include Peter Dudek; (sculpture) Kelly Eginton; (painting)
Mary George; (sculpture) Susanna Heller; (painting) Samm Kunce;
(photography) Iain Machell; (site specific drawing) Jeremiah
Maddoc; (painting) Rebecca Miller; (drawing/painting) Jessica
Reeves-Cohen; (video/performance) Maura Sheehan; (site specific)
Stephen Sollins; (drawing) Brian Storts; (performance) Micki
Watanabe; (site specific/photo) and Kathryn Williamson.
(performance)
Edgescapes engages the question of geography's influence on
artistic practice at two points on the edges of art and culture
San Francisco and New York. "Through the project a dialogue opens
between artists on both coasts whose work reflects these
concerns, exploring ways in which location drives the movement of
art ideas and practices," they state. "Particular concepts of the
coast, the edge, have developed in both cities as artists become
more mobile, moving freely in and out of urban environments.
(physically or virtually) How do we as artists see this mobility
the opportunity even to live and work on both coasts reflected in
our work? How do we connect to the landscape/citiscape that
surrounds us daily?"
Each artist will be represented in both venues simultaneously.
Maura Sheehan, Iain Machell and Micki Watanabe will be completing
site specific works at Goliath; Jessica Reeves-Cohen will present
performance video in each venue and a live performance during the
opening at Goliath. Photos by site artist Samm Kunce will be
shown in both spaces as well as paintings and drawings by Susanna
Heller and Stephen Sollins and sculpture by Peter Dudek.
The concept for the exhibition sprang from Reeves-Cohen and
Miller's observation of the influence of place and the comparison
of distant locations, which are now more accessible than ever
through virtual and actual travel. Rebecca Miller has led a
bi-coastal existence for the past several years, spending a
significant amount of time in both San Francisco and New York,
while Jessica Reeves-Cohen has had studios in Texas, Vermont, and
New York.
"The exchange of ideas about what really drives the work began to
come around to location the more we each experienced working in
different cities," says Reeves-Cohen. "Other institutions on both
coasts were sponsoring exchange shows, which usually did not con-
centrate on the relationship between the two participating
locales. We wanted to bring the nature of the locations into focus,
see what kind of work that generated."
At Goliath Visual Space in Brooklyn, the show will be featured as
part of the annual WILLIAMSBURG ART AND CULTURE FESTIVAL, a
collaborative effort of galleries and alternative spaces which
have sprung up in the Williamsburg and Greenpoint sections of
Brooklyn.
Blackbird Gallery, directed by Rebecca miller, is brand new to
the mission district of San Francisco. Edgescapes will be the
second exhibition in its 2001-2002 schedule.
BROOKLYN, NY
Goliath Visual Space, 117 Dobbin St, 2
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Blackbird Space, 2642 Third St.