HVCCA: Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

GALLERY TALK WITH ARTISTS RICHARD DUPONT AND GRIMANESA AMORÓS
Sunday January 18th, 2009 at 4:00pm

Both artists currently have installations on exhibit at HVCCA on view through January 18th, 2009. The event will open with a brief talk and introduction by HVCCA President/Co-Founder Dr. Livia Straus followed by presentations by the artists.

FREE with museum admission

ARTIST STATEMENT
In this work I am exploring my experience on Flatey, an island in Breidafjördur Bay off the coast of Iceland. I had intended to observe and make sketches of the area's abundant birds, such as Arctic Terns, Red-throated Divers and Black Guillemots, but I learned upon my arrival that two days earlier the birds had migrated to a warmer climate. When my husband, my daughter Shammiel and I arrived, we greatly increased the population of the remote island. Under these circumstances, I found that I was able only to make direct observations with what there was around me. A key part of this trip for all of us was trying to overcome our feelings of isolation and foreignness by exploring the island's natural habitat.

--VIDEO--
The Sea Mare - Tableaux Vivant Nouveau presented by Pálina Jónsdóttir
- Opening performance for Grimanesa Amoros’ Rootless Algas
- Sunday September 14th, 2008
- Watch Video Now
- More Info on Pálina Jónsdóttir

The rocks on the shores of Flatey were covered with thick and textured accumulations of a type of algae that I had never seen before. The colors and the immensity of these piles were overwhelming. They were aesthetically beautiful, yet I couldn't explore the shores nor go swimming without stepping in and around the vegetation. This limitation enhanced my internal sensation of being confined; yet, like the algae, I cannot be connected to any one place. Algae have holdfasts that serve as temporary anchors but are not necessary for attaining nutrients. It is common for algae to hold on to each other like refugees, to facilitate ocean travel. My fascination with the algae increased as I also identified with their lack of roots.

For this installation, Rootless Algas, large multi-colored algae have been made by casting translucent abaca sheets into molds that are then hung from ceiling to floor. The work intends to express certain feelings of isolation and attempts to convey characteristics of the actual experience, rather than explorations or descriptions. I have removed the plants from their original context and reinvented them to highlight the dynamic between nature and human beings. The configurations of the area require people to experience their surroundings from multiple viewpoints. That spatial virtuality is augmented with a video projection and soundtrack by Icelandic composer Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson. In addition, viewers will have to find and create their own space and in doing so they will recreate on a small scale the limitless scope of the natural world.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Grimanesa Amorós is an interdisciplinary artist with diverse interests in the fields of social history, scientific research and critical theory, which have greatly influenced her work. She often makes use of sculpture, video, lighting and sound to create works that illuminate our notions of personal identity and community. Amorós utilizes her art as an agent for empowerment to involve viewers from all different backgrounds and communities. Born in Lima. Lives and works in New York City and Peru. Amorós studied at The Art Students League (1984–1988) and Private Ateliers in Lima, Peru (1981–1983).

PHOTO GALLERY
Please click the thumbnails below to view full-size images.

Grimanesa Amoros' Curriculum Vitae

Return to Previous Page