Droplet
2000; Mags Harries; Hand-blown glass; 9.5"x16"; Courtesy of the Artist
Ripple Effect, The Art of H2O
On view June 18, 2011 to July 8, 2012
Located in the: Art & Nature Center
Ripple Effect, in PEM's interactive Art & Nature Center, highlights water as a medium for artistic expression and hands-on exploration. Visitors encounter water in its different states - solid, liquid and gas - as they investigate artworks inspired by rivers, geysers, snowflakes, fog and more. Water's allure to contemporary artists as a creative medium is compelling, especially in relation to the unique, life-giving properties of this substance we so often take for granted.
Support provided by the East India Marine Associates (EIMA) of the Peabody Essex Museum and the museum's Art & Nature Committee.
Images
Droplet
2000; Mags Harries; Hand-blown glass; 9.5"x16"; Courtesy of the Artist
Siberia Circles
2010; Jim Denevan; nine-square-mile snow drawing (detail) | pigmented inkjet photograph; 28.8" x 44"; Courtesy of the artist; photograph by Peter Hinson
Burble’s Gradient
2005; Peter Wasilewski; pigmented inkjet photograph; 31"x38"; Courtesy of the Artist
Icemusic
Icemusic musician Terje Isungset with ice trumpet; photo by Bjørn Furuseth
Water Sculpture #9
2010; Shinichi Maruyama; archival pigment print; 43"x52"; Courtesy of Bruce Silverstein Gallery
Serac Moulin
2008; Cornelia Kubler Kavanagh; mixed media; 44"x44"x21"; Courtesy of the Artist
Related Events
Included with museum admission
Explore the wonders of our blue planet and celebrate Earth Day with performances, art and activities! Meet artists, get a close look at New England's secretive vernal pool inhabitants, create artworks to take home and more!
Monday, April 16
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
Discover your secret water identity. Pick up an H2O You quiz sheet at the Art & Nature Center activity table.
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
Explore water in our world on this special tour of the Maritime and American Art galleries.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Bubble Printing
11 am–3 pm | Art Studios
Bubbles are fun and can also be used to create amazing artwork. Blow your own bubble pattern and take home a unique bubble print.
Tuesday, April 17
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm | Atrium
Join artist, educator and water scientist Wendy Pabich, Ph.D., and create an impressive wave sculpture representing the water footprint of one pair of bluejeans (over 2,000 gallons used per pair). Pabich seeks to reveal the hidden demands on water through art, programs and her forthcoming book, Taking on Water (fall 2012).
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
See Monday listing
PERFORMANCES
Or Would You Rather Be a Fish?
11 am–noon and 2–3 pm | Atrium
Find out "How the Sea Became Salty" and what happens to "The Unlucky Sailor" with award-winning performer Mary Jo Maichack, in a rousing musical and interactive puppet show. Be sure to give the pirate's cheer!
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Bubble Printing
11 am–3 pm | Art Studios
See Monday listing
DROP-IN ACTIVITY
From Drain to Shore
1–4 pm | Atrium
Explore an interactive watershed model, investigate marine debris and find out what you can do to help reduce water pollution with experts from Salem Sound Coastwatch.
Wednesday, April 18
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm |Atrium
See Tuesday Listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
WORKSHOP
Fish Printing
10:15–11 am | Art Studios
For families with children ages 8 and up
Reservations by April 17
Learn how artist Joe Higgins creates his unique prints using fish, inspired by the Japanese art Gyotaku. Then make your own.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
River Books
10:30 am–2 pm | Art Studios
Create and illustrate your own rippling river journal using the accordion bookbinding method.
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
See Monday listing
PERFORMANCES
Snowflake Man Puppet Show
11–11:45 am and 2–2:45 pm | Atrium
Vermont farmer Wilson Bentley was a teenager when he became fascinated with snowflakes. Discover the story of the first man to photograph snowflakes in this award-winning puppetry show by artist and puppeteer Sarah Frechette, of Puppetkabob.
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Fish Faces
Noon–2 pm | Atrium
Meet artist Joe Higgins and get a closer look at the process of Japanese fish printing.
DROP-IN ACTIVITY
From Drain to Shore
1–4 pm | Atrium
See Tuesday listing
Thursday, April 18
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm | Atrium
See Tuesday listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
River Books
10:30 am–2 pm | Art Studios
See Wednesday listing
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
See Monday listing
PROGRAM
Exploring Vernal Pools
1–1:30 pm and 2–2:30 pm | Atrium
Meet vernal pool animals and find out what makes these watery pools unique, with naturalist Rick Roth, of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond team.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Salamander Sketches
1:30–2:30 pm | Atrium
Take a close look at frogs, salamanders and other creatures that live in and around local vernal pools. Naturalist Rick Roth offers sketching tips.
