Elizabeth Bisbing “More Life Than Still”
Soho20 Chelsea Gallery
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In the more than forty cut paper studies of wildflowers, observed during the artist’s summer residence in upstate New York, Elizabeth Bisbing explores plant life in relation to botanical study and artistic observation. Among the native regional plants, Bisbing included medicinal flowers, exotic intruders and weeds, labeling and categorizing her findings with the assistance of Greene and Columbia County Master Gardener Bonnie Blader. Also on view are two stop-motion animations by Bisbing, “Metamorphosis” and “The Swamp”, which are based on the paper cut works. The animations not only introduce the wondrous world of the plants’ diversity and beauty, they convey fictional narrative moments involving the character of Little Betty Jane. The magical universe of the wildflowers then becomes a stage for the seemingly naïve adventures of Little Betty Jane. In these episodes distinguished by a disturbing humor– the wild side of nature turns into a metaphor for subliminal fears of mortality and internalized traumas. Bisbing’s female hero can only overcome the fear by completely accepting being part of the archaic and mortal cycle of nature.
Media
Schedule
from September 03, 2013 to September 28, 2013
Opening Reception on 2013-09-06 from 18:00 to 20:00