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 White Plains, NY - Artists have always been on the front lines of social and political change. In this tradition, ArtsWestchester, through an exhibition entitled “Hanging by a Thread,” seeks to foster a dialogue about environmental conservation and the related issues of consumerism, commodity, climate and culture.
This exhibit, opening March 19, is one of three sponsored by Swiss Re to focus on environmental concerns as we approach the upcoming Hudson River Quadricentennial and look ahead to the next 400 years.
The sixteen artists in this first exhibition all use recycled materials in their work and employ, in some way, discarded thread, yarn, fabric, ribbon, or other materials with properties akin to textiles. Others utilize textile production methods such as weaving and quilting to work with nondescript household items. Works include tapestries made from bottle caps, installations made from unraveled yarn, sculptures made of hair curlers or rolls of ribbon, and vessels woven from plastic bags.
“Through the ages and in many diverse cultures, humans have created functional, ceremonial and decorative textile art using the refuse of their culture,” says curator Julia Dixon. “The fusion of the salvaged and the woven by contemporary artists reflects this need while bridging the narrow gaps between fashion, fiber, folk and fine art.”
Hanging by a Thread includes works by nationally-known artists such as Lesley Dill, Paul Villinski, and Saya Woolfalk, along with Westchester artists such as Randy Frost, Barbara Segal, and Leni Wiener, all raising important questions about the decisions we make everyday as individuals, as well as the public policies we adopt as a society. Each artist uses fabrics or textile products as a lens through which to address and personally contextualize these concerns.
According to ArtsWestchester Executive Director Janet T. Langsam, “A Quadricentennial is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the abuses of our natural resources such as the Hudson River and to begin a civic dialogue about what kind of future we want,” says Langsam. “Many of these artworks are as beautiful as they are provocative, hopefully getting people thinking and talking about how they can help protect our environment.”
Taken together, the art works in Hanging by a Thread speak to a growing urgency about over-consumption and the disposal of solid waste. A recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that notes that in the twenty-five years from 1980 to 2005, Americans have increased their trash production by 62 percent, and in 2006, Americans produced 251 million tons of garbage, the equivalent of 4.6 pounds of waste, per person, per day.
Curator Julia Dixon notes that artists are reinforcing the idea that “trash can be reclaimed and transformed into something which has value as a usable object.”
Visitors to the exhibition should have an opportunity to reflect upon the issues raised as well as marvel at the ingenuity of the artists. Artist Mary Ann Lomonaco, for instance, takes the blue plastic bags in which newspapers are delivered and weaves the material into yarn from which she makes large vessels, Elisabeth Morisette makes tapestries from bottle caps and hair curlers, and Vadis Turner transforms used pantyhose into tantalizing sculptures of chocolate candies.
Among the unique installations of Hanging by a Thread will be Sarah Millman’s sweater maze, which visitors can move through and experience from all perspectives on the second floor of the Grand Banking Room. To add to the fun, The Peoria Emporium, a Bronxville-based store which sells clothing, furniture and gifts made from reused materials, will be re-created (including the application of the store’s wall design) within the vault on the ground floor of the Grand Banking Room in downtown White Plains.
Hanging by a Thread, sponsored by Swiss Re, will be on view from March 20th to May 2nd at The Arts Exchange, the headquarters of Arts Westchester, at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. An opening reception is planned for Thursday, March 19, from 5-8 p.m. Gallery Hours at The Arts Exchange are Tuesday-Saturday, from 12 to 5 p.m. with free admission. Special related events have been planned in conjunction with the exhibition (see below). For more information, call (914) 428-4220 x 278.
Participating Artists Include:
Lesley Dill
Randy Frost
Desire Koslin
Mary Ann Lomonaco
Elizabeth Lundberg Morisette
Sarah Millman
Leslie Pelino
Peoria Emporium (owned and operated by artists Elena Agostinis and Patricia Grace Stevens)
Luis Perelman
Barbara Segal
Leah Tacha
Vadis Turner
Paul Villinski
Leni Wiener
Saya Woolfalk
Related Events (free and open to the public)
Wednesday, April 15th at 5 pm- Meet the Artists
A panel discussion with “Hanging by a Thread” participating artists (artists tbd)
Sunday, April 19th at 2:00 PM-Workshop
Trash to Craft Workshop: Learn to weave and crochet with ordinary household items.
Participating artist Mary Ann Lomonaco will be teaching children how to weave with cardboard cereal boxes and juice containers, and crochet.using plastic newspaper delivery bags.
ArtsWestchester is your connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, ArtsWestchester is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased a nine-story building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, now known as the Arts Exchange, and has since developed the building as a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community.
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