Exhibition - Points of Return

Saturday, Jun 10, 2023 from 10:00am to 9:00pm
The Umbrella Community Arts Center
40 Stow Street
978-371-0820

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Points of Return, curated by A La Luz, began life during lockdown as an online exhibition, featuring artists from around the world. This year—in collaboration with The Umbrella Arts Center—a large-scale exhibition will present thought-provoking projects by twenty-seven artists who examine wide ranging aspects of the climate emergency, offering commentary and imagining ways humankind can restore its natural bond with the environment.

The first physical manifestation of this project will take place right here in Concord, where in the 19th century the naturalist movement—which would evolve into the contemporary environmental movement in America—was born, thanks to writers and philosophers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. We are now at a time in history where the environment is, and must be, at the centre of the issues that humanity must address, and it makes sense to continue the conversation with this exhibition in a place, where over two-hundred years ago, great creative minds started discussing the importance of the natural world—for our souls, and for our very survival.

This immersive exhibition includes works that illustrate some of the key scenes we face as we approach what many describe as a “point of no return.” From projects responding to the increasing wildfires in California, to the rapid decrease of kelp forests in that same region. From the important role played by marshlands in protecting the East Midlands of England to the deforestation of the Congo Basin rainforest. From disappearing ice at our poles, to the rapid spread of plastics into landscapes and waterways around the world.

In just one century, we have fast-forwarded through warming which should have taken thousands of years. We have nearly doubled the volume of carbon in our atmosphere, increased methane levels two and a half times over, pushed up average sea-levels by 20 to 23 centimetres, and killed off over half our coral reefs. And yet, while it might seem that we are racing through a closing act, solutions remain within sight. The artists in this exhibition offer commentary, reflection, and creative restorative strategies.

The exhibition brings to the surface the problematic relationship the human species has toward planet Earth and highlights how human activity, particularly since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, has induced climate breakdown. Yet, we firmly believe there are reasons for optimism. These art projects show that there are multiple paths and approaches that can be taken, in order to restore the environmental balance that we have destabilised. A La Luz (a platform and curatorial project founded by artists Gonzaga Gómez-Cortázar and David Cass) believes that creative practitioners play a pivotal role. Through their work, they bring to light overlooked realities and nuances of the climate crisis, reminding us that, as Greta Thunberg puts it, ‘our house is on fire’ and urgent action must be taken.

Nature writer Barry Lopez wrote that ‘the mind, full of curiosity and analysis, disassembles a landscape and then reassembles the pieces.’ In this case, we could write that ‘the artist’, or ‘the creative mind, full of curiosity and analysis, disassembles a landscape and then reassembles the pieces.’ For, this is what each one of the artists in this exhibition achieves,  focussing on one element or another of our dismantling planet and using their creativity to provide us with a way inside the data. This is climate breakdown of another sort, where providing entry points and accessible narratives is key. Author Michael Pollan said recently on BBC Radio 4 that “people enjoy learning with you, rather than being lectured at.” Often, it is a missing emotional element which inhibits our ability to connect with climate science. For this reason, the curators have designed Points of Return so as to describe a journey, through which the visitor might feel and hear something of the Earth itself, and from those affected by recent climatic shifts.

These artists have immersed themselves in jungles, marshlands, deserts, oceans, and forests. They have researched and captured how even the most remote and inaccessible environments have the fingerprints of human activity. Through their immersion, they’ve become vessels for telling; for raising awareness and understanding. These thorough processes, explorations and reflections take on various formats—including video art, installation, sculpture, and photography. Ulrika Sparre asks us to place our Ear to the Ground. Quite simply, to listen to our Earth’s non-human actors. Tanja Geis and Fiona Carruthers urge us to pay attention to our natural resources. Erin Woodbrey and Bethany Johnson promote the importance of sustainability through use of recycled, reclaimed, repurposed materials. Miguel Jeronimo’s stunningly effective project carries what could be considered the strongest strategy at our disposal in tackling the climate emergency—a shift in perspective.

Artists are in a unique position, able to creatively present scientific findings in an accessible manner—raising awareness, inspiring collaboration and communal action. After all, if we are to solve the climate conundrum, we must all contribute. Collaboration is key.

Twenty-seven international artists explore wide ranging aspects of the climate emergency, offering commentary and creative nature-based strategies.

The Umbrella Visual Arts program, in collaboration with A La Luz, presents the revolutionary, multimedia exhibition, Points of Return. Featuring the work of 27 international artists, Points of Return is the first physical exhibition of the acclaimed online exhibition of the same name. 

This environmental art exhibition will see The Umbrella split into themed spaces. A journey has been mapped out by curators A La Luz, plotted to allow visitors fresh and engaging insights into wide-ranging aspects of the climate crisis, its end destination that of resolute optimism. For, while it may seem that we are racing toward a closing act, as our planet’s average temperature rises year-on-year, solutions remain within sight. We have not yet reached that dreaded “point of no return” and artists are in the unique position of being able to offer scientific data in new ways. Through dynamic display and crossing several artistic disciplines, this international 27-artist show provides commentary, reflection, and creative restorative strategies.

The exhibition will be on display May 1 - June 25, over two floors of The Umbrella and in The Umbrella Black Box Theater, supported by the following special events (RSVPs Required):

Saturday, May 6, 5-8pm - Opening reception. Curator remarks and introduction to artists at 6pm. RSVP

Sunday, May 7, 12pm - Guided tour followed by Return to Resonance: Restoring Our Connection to Earth Through Sound, an immersive sound bath experience to reconnect with our environment with Amy Duncan.

Saturday, May 13, 3-4pm - Guided Tour of the Exhibition

Saturday, May 13, 4-5pm - “American Literature Before, Through and After the Climate Emergency”. Talk by Dr. Joseph Donica (CUNY) and presented in partnership with The Thoreau Society.

Saturday, June 10, 3pm - Guided Tour of the Exhibition

Saturday, June 10, 6:30-9pm - Into the Oceanic: Double screening event by artist-filmmakers Elizabeth Ogilvie and Robert Page, focussing on underwater habitats and the importance of educational entry points in environmental artwork. Documentary screening and pre-recorded talk by Dr Gary Husband from 7:30pm in the main theater, preceded by a creative oceanic projection in the Black Box and exhibition viewing. Refreshments available for purchase.

Saturday, June 25, 3pm - Guided Tour of the Exhibition

Points of Return opens May 1 and is on view through June 25. The gallery is free and open to the public 7 days a week from 10:00am to 9:00pm; admission is free. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the exhibit, or join us for the following special events:

(Events are free, but registration is required; click the RSVP link below, or visit TheUmbrellaArts.org/POR to register)

RSVP