OSMUNDA: ourWaters
with Clear Studios
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December 13th - January 11th, 2019
On View Tue - Sat 12 PM - 7 PM
Thursday 12PM - 9PM
332 Canal Street, New York City
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Inspired by the dream of native royal ferns growing through the cracks in concrete sidewalks, OSMUNDA was created by a collective of young creatives passionate about the potential of Rewilding New York City. OSMUNDA fosters space for artists to share their work. All exhibits are focused on the relationship between humans and our environment- within this framework each exhibit has a specific theme.
The second exhibition of Osmunda is opening soon at 332 Canal St. The show will run from December 13th, 2018 to January 11th, 2019. This show, OSMUNDA:ourWaters, focuses on WATER, how we relate to water in the urban environment and as a connecting fluid for our entire earth. Reflecting on New York City’s once diverse and abundant ecosystem, the exhibit gathers artists and creatives to inspire collaboration and dialogue on our human imprint. We think of ourselves as land creatures, yet our roots are in water - in terms of species evolution (the primordial ocean), of individual physiology (the amniotic liquid in the womb), and collective psychology (oceanic feeling). This installation will guide participants into ways of reconnecting with our watery roots. The result is an experiential space that weaves art, sound, sculpture, and architecture to reflect the interaction between humans and water.
The collective believes that art has the ability to change our human behaviors because art creates emotional space that allows for one to feel compassion and empathy. Once upon a time on Canal Street, large amounts of fish swam along streams opening up to the collect pond, a vast body of water considered lower Manhattan’s most important natural feature. This history will be presented alongside FREE NYC WATER, informing guests of the natural water resources of New York City. The exhibit aims to encourage guests to adopt the habit of carrying their own water bottles. Guests will have the opportunity to PLEDGE to not buy a plastic water bottle for 30 days. To the people who pledge, we will give them a free water bottle provided by greeNYC. This is one simple action we hope to inspire in people. #freewater #plasticfree
The collective has the intention to re-imagine the ECONOMICS OF ART. Sales of works from the exhibitions will support : the Artists, the Osmunda platform, and Non-profit environmental organizations. For the OSMUNDA:ourWaters exhibition, 10% OF ALL ART SALES will be donated to NEWTOWN CREEK ALLIANCE. The Newtown Creek Alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to protecting the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of Newtown Creek (located in Brooklyn, NY). The money donated will go towards building more living rafts along the Newtown Creek. The living rafts are a way to bioremediate the polluted water using native grasses and mussels as a filtration mechanism.
The exhibiting artists for the OSMUNDA: ourWaters show are: Alfred Megally, being((:))sound, Chris Olszewski, Clear Studios, Desdemona Dallas, Joro-Boro, Future Clear, Hanoux, Lena Viddo, Louisa Armbrust, Luke Namer, Richard Clarkson Design, Sasha Charoensub
Osmunda is organized by the non-profit production team Future Clear and the social impact film organization Redefined Films.
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Osmunda is a collective of artists, architects, storytellers, and visionaries who are passionate about our Earth. They find unused spaces throughout New York City and turn them into sanctuaries; spaces that invite guests to take a moment to reflect on the relationship between humans and the natural world. The intention is to evoke a feeling that ‘we are not separate from nature, we are nature’. The collective has roots in non-profit work and is pioneering a way to use art as a means to fuel social, behavioral change. Empowering people to consider their actions and move through this world with more care and awareness.
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For more information contact oncanal@wallplay.com
@osmundanyc @clearstudiosss #oncanal