An art installation that celebrates and examines coastal life and coastal issues opens at the Crown and Anchor’s Paramount Room in Provincetown on April 3. The exhibit, “Replenishing Refuge in Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank – What Can the Arts Do?” was created and curated by Center for Coastal Studies Artist-in-Residence Mark Adams.
There are two public events planned so far. Both events will include participation by Cornell University students who are collaborating with the Center for Coastal Studies Marine Debris and Plastics Program.
On Thursday, April 4, at 6 pm, scientists from the Center for Coastal Studies will present Coastal Science Stories, short “lightning” talks about their own personal experiences doing science and research about right whales, marine disentanglement, marine ecology, geology, and fisheries.
On Friday, April 5, from 6 to 9 pm, the Paramount will be open for a public reception to experience the artwork, with cameos from local performers, cash bar, and DJ sets that weave in sound art from the ocean.
Prior to that, from Wednesday through Saturday, April 3 – 6, the community is welcome to visit the space and participate in informal work sessions hanging and embellishing the installation.
Adams explained that the purpose of the installation is “to further community awareness of life on our coast, addressing issues such as plastics, sea level rise, storms and erosion, threats to whales and other marine life, the necessity of coastal recreation, the future of Provincetown Harbor, and the blue economy of Provincetown.”
The centerpiece of the installation is a 40-foot painting of a right whale on lightweight sailcloth. On the dance floor will be a 25-foot map of the Cape Cod Bay – Stellwagen Bank sea floor (the spring habitat for a large proportion of the North Atlantic right whale population). Other ocean subjects are depicted on printed banners. Framing the space is a curtain made of salvaged rope and netting from the Center’s Marine Debris and Plastics Program.
Students from Cornell University are creating an ocean audio dance mix, with whale recordings, that will be played at the opening. Cornell faculty and sound artist Annie Lewandowski will share her “Sirens” humpback whale piece that was formerly featured at MassMOCA.
The art event coincides with other events taking place during the month of April: Earth Day on April 22, and Right Whale Day on April 24 (officially designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Student groups are encouraged to visit.
Many thanks for the generous support of Jonathan Hawkins and Paolo Martini of the Crown and Anchor.
If you go…
What: “Replenishing Refuge in Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank”
Where: The Crown and Anchor, Paramount Room, 247 Commercial Street, Provincetown
When: April 3 – 6, approximately 4 to 9 pm, and by appointment. Contact mark Adams, [email protected], 508-380-5354
Photos:
Above: CCS Artist-in-Residence Mark Adams with 40-foot painting of a right whale on lightweight sailcloth.
Below: 25-foot map of the Cape Cod Bay – Stellwagen Bank sea floor; scientists from CCS will present “lightning” talks about their personal experiences doing research.
