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The Waste Land on Earth?
Harvard Ed Portal Crossings Gallery
July 31- August 21, 2019
Photo credits: Christine Winship (UVA), Brenda Gael McSweeney (UVA), John Quatrale (UVA), Jeannie Simms, and Joe Kebartas
The program and reception on August 8th, 2019 was a major success as a large audience of over 100 attended during the 3 hour event at the Harvard Ed Portal’s Crossings Gallery. A curated Spotify music playlist played throughout the evening along with a slideshow of the art in the exhibition playing on the big screen in the Ed Portal’s large multi-purpose room. The guests were treated to catered refreshments from Swissbakers served with sustainable foodware and utensils as well as wine and beer, compliments of Harvard University. Most of the 24 artists and 9 of UVA’s Board of Directors/Council of Advisors were in attendance and all very pleased and excited. Visitors saw and experienced The Waste Land on Earth? Exhibition, an amazing educational art exhibition that was curated by Caitlin Bowler. She did an excellent job in selecting just the right artwork that touched on many aspects of this important topic.
There was also a lot of excitement about the review and recommendation by WBUR’s ARTery and the 5 art sales. The Panel Discussion, organized by Caitlin, was also excellent. The four artists – Jeanne Simms, Madeline Lee, Elizabeth Lapides, and Michael McLaughlin all made very impressive informative presentations. In addition, Lani Ascuncion’s video performance was an important part of the evening and the exhibition. The exhibition, with 33 works, also included paintings, photographs, videos, a website, sculptures, ceiling fabric, mixed media, quilts, and collages all included to guide the audience through the many aspects of the complexities of sustainability and the cycle of consumption on our landscapes and communities. Having remarks by Senator Will Brownsberger added to the importance of the event. Rep. Kevin Honan was also present and was recognized. There was also a Sustainability Resource Table, that included information compiled by Mass Audubon, Green America, the City of Boston Public Works, Harvard University, the Boston Building Resources, and a movie recommendation list related to sustainability. There were also recycled product samples provided by the Cleenland Co. of Cambridge for visitors to learn about.
The UVA Board of Directors also created an Obsolescence display that demonstrated how quickly items we use become obsolete. Items include a 45 record, a VHS tape, a cassette tape, and two types of floppy disks. Visitors could guess what the item was, the year of it’s obsolescence, and what replaced it. The centerpiece was an antique Bell Telephone sign. Visitors were encouraged to sign UVA’s “Allston-Brighton Deserves an Art Center” petition. Finally, there was a free raffle that over 75 people participated in for several cultural offerings in the Berkshires. The package included 2 theaters, 3 museums and gift card to a luxury hotel. The winner, a graduate student at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts University, was an excited winner. See the exhibition catalogue.