The word “ark” often brings to mind the massive vessel from biblical tales where pairs of animals were saved from a devastating flood. This imagery feels particularly relevant today as we face the climate crisis and our planet’s rising sea levels. Unlike the biblical narrative, it is human activity that contributes to melting ice caps and rising waters. The expansive exhibition, titled The Ark at Powerhouse Arts, poses the question: will we nurture our planet’s future as we do the animals we cherish?
This exhibition draws inspiration from the Genesis flood narrative, described as “an event of epic scale that becomes a metaphor for the present moment, where environmental and social upheaval converge,” according to a statement. “Throughout the exhibition—experienced in the round, in close proximity, and at monumental scale—the animals function as both protagonists and interlocutors.”
Readers familiar with Colossal might recognize the works of Kiki Smith, Nichola Theakston, Anthony Theakston, Wangechi Mutu, Jeffrey Gibson, among others. Over 50 artists contribute with 90 sculptures and installations. The artworks span various materials, including wood, stone carvings, cast bronze, and resin. Maurizio Cattelan’s pigeons perch on beams, while the bronze works of Nichola and Anthony Theakston highlight the sanctity of animals. John O’Reilly’s portrayal of an emaciated female dog over her pup evokes deep emotion, ranging from joy to grief throughout the exhibition.
Curated by artist Eric Fischl, the exhibition was initially showcased at The Church in Sag Harbor, a town with a whaling history. Now in Brooklyn, The Ark is housed in a former warehouse at Powerhouse Arts, a nonprofit focused on fabrication and production, located on the Gowanus Canal. The building, dubbed the “Batcave,” is adjacent to a Superfund site, an area requiring significant cleanup due to heavy pollution.
The setting provides a post-industrial backdrop for a show centered on nature, the environment, and material exploration. Visitors can walk through rooms filled with animal sculptures from floor to ceiling, experiencing elements of surprise and wonder. Powerhouse Arts comments, “Rather than framing environmental themes through notions of crisis and urgency alone, the exhibition centers on relationships and intimate encounters.”
The Ark runs until August 30 in Brooklyn. More information can be found on the organization’s Instagram.
