Glyndor Gallery at Wave Hill presents Hive Culture: Captivated by the Honeybee, an exhibition that explores a multi-dimensional preoccupation with the pivotal role that bees play in pollination, environmental health and our changing relationship to nature. Painting, prints, sculpture, photography and video are featured, by artists Jennifer Angus, Anonda Bell, Deborah Davidovits, Anda Dubinskis, Cara Enteles, Rose-Lynn Fisher, Sally Gall, Hope Ginsburg, Talia Greene, Judi Harvest, Rob Keller, Andrea Lilienthal, Holly Lynton, Lenore Malen, Julia Oldham, Michelle Rozic, Jeanne Silverthorne and Draga Šušanj.
Wave Hill laid the groundwork for Hive Culture with two exhibitions in 2002. Insecta Magnifica celebrated the diversity of species in the class Insecta through works created by artists fascinated by the scientific perspectives, cultural perceptions and assumptions about these complex creatures. The Grafter’s Shack, created by J. Morgan Puett, explored the universe of beekeeping and the practice of bee grafting.
Over the past year, Wave Hill’s curatorial team culled through a large body of work on the subject of bees and beekeeping, recognizing that Colony Collapse Disorder has provoked heightened concern for many artists. The result is a dynamic mix of works by 18 artists, revealing a fascination with the bee itself, the art of beekeeping and the precarious relationship between people and bees. Thus, Deborah Davidovits’ animated shadow play follows the seasons from the vantage point of the bee colony, while beekeeper Rob Keller’s custom-designed wallpaper and photographs, taken over several years, show the progression of Bee Dollhouse, his formerly active hive. Andrea Lilienthal draws on a childhood memory of her family mistakenly disturbing a feral beehive to create Swarm, an installation using pussy willow buds. Judi Harvest’s extensive research and immersion in the study of bees informs her creation of sculptural hives and amber, blown-glass bees, while Cara Enteles’ large organic garden influences the paintings from her Pollinator Series, exploring Colony Collapse Disorder. Julia Oldham’s Rotations began with research into insect behavior and communication, culminating in a series of performances where she becomes the insect, imitating the waggle dance. Rose-Lynn Fisher’s series of photographs reveals the intricate structure and design underlying the body of the bee itself.
Wave Hill, which has a long-established beekeeping program, understands the importance of pollination to the garden landscape. Beginning in 2003, Wave Hill has introduced visitors to the basics of beekeeping through the seasons. Hive Culture is an opportunity for Wave Hill to present artwork in conjunction with a series of public programs linking art and nature. Also complementing the exhibition this fall are two special weekends at Wave Hill, Honey Weekend on October 1 and 2, and Hive Culture Weekend on November 5 and 6. All programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.
Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Its mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.
Schedule of Hive Culture-related Public Programs
Honey Weekend Saturday, Sunday, October 1, 2
10am–1pm Family Art Project: Be a Bee/Sea una abeja
Noon−4pm Honey Tasting
2pm−4pm Honey Extraction Demonstration
2pm−4pm Hives and Honey Information Session
Exhibition Reception Sunday, October 2
1−4pm Artists and curators speak about the work on view. Informal talks begin at 2pm.
Hive Culture Weekend Saturday, Sunday, November 5, 6
10am−1pm Family Art Project: Bee’s Wax and Wool/Cera y Madera de abejas, with exhibiting
artist Holly Lynton.
1:30pm, *Saturday only* Assistant Curator Gabriel de Guzman and artist Cara Enteles talk about how she explores the plight of pollinating bees through painting and discuss how the show
addresses the critical role bees play through different artworks.
2pm, *Saturday only* Cooking Demo: Cooking with Honey
1:30pm, *Sunday only* Artist Lenore Malen and beekeeper Chris Harp of HoneybeeLives discuss
beekeeping and sustainability, ideas that the artist explores in her video I am the animal.
Family Art Project Saturday, Sunday, November 12, 13
10am−1pm Honey Bee Shadow Puppets/Abeja marionetas de Sombras, with exhibiting artist
Artist Talks Sunday, November 13
1:30pm Join artists and curators for informal talks about the inspiration for the works on view
and the artists’ relationship to bees and beekeeping.