Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue

Cryosphere2
Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue
A special installation in Velvet da Vinci’s Elevator space.

 

May 13 – 26, 2016
Artist’s Reception: Friday, May 13, 2016, 6-8pm

 

Velvet Da Vinci is pleased to present Thea Clark’s Cryosphere So Blue, a site-specific installation in the gallery’s two-story elevator shaft. The show will run May 11 – 26, 2016. An Artist’s Reception will take place Friday, May 13, 2016, from 6-8pm.

 

The term cryosphere refers to the frozen water on the earth’s surface. The installation is inspired by the work of pioneering female Arctic explorer Louise A. Boyd of San Rafael, California who in the 1930’s conducted numerous expeditions to Eastern Greenland to do research on glaciers and geography. Boyd’s work included documenting the landscapes with hundreds of photographs made using state of the art cameras. Her collective research from over 80 years ago is still used today as a reference point for climate change studies.

Boyd’s black and white images capture amazing surface detail but we know the true glowing blues of icebergs and glaciers were only possible to see in person. Thea Clark’s sculpture and jewelry installation is influenced by these captured images, Boyd’s actual seen experience, documented scientific findings, and the nautical aspect of the exploration. Through the use of color, texture, and materials Clark pays homage to the natural wonder of the Arctic. Clark focuses on the pioneering spirit of Boyd through the lens of today’s knowledge of man’s responsibility for the rapid loss of our cryosphere.

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail)

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Narrative Brooch

Thea Clark, Narrative Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, brass, wood, anthracite coal, 4.5" x 2.5" x .25"

Thea Clark, Narrative Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, brass, wood, anthracite coal, 4.5″ x 2.5″ x .25″

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Echo Soundings Pendant

Thea Clark, Echo Soundings Profile Pendant, Sterling silver, cotton cord, 3.5" x 3.75" x .25"

Thea Clark, Echo Soundings Profile Pendant, Sterling silver, cotton cord, 3.5″ x 3.75″ x .25″

Thea Clark, Echo Soundings Profile Necklace, Rope, sterling silver, leather, 3" x 7" x 28"

Thea Clark, Echo Soundings Profile Necklace, Rope, sterling silver, leather, 3″ x 7″ x 28″

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View

Thea Clark, Hisinger Glacier Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, hemp, rutilated quartz, brass, 3" x 3" x 2"

Thea Clark, Hisinger Glacier Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, hemp, rutilated quartz, brass, 3″ x 3″ x 2″

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Morainless Glacier Necklace

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Morainless Glacier Necklace

Thea Clark, Head of Josef Franz Fiord Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, brass, sterling silver, nickel silver, hemp, tinted plastic, rutilated quartz, 3" x 3.25" x 1.5"

Thea Clark, Head of Josef Franz Fiord Brooch, Tinted plaster, resin, brass, sterling silver, nickel silver, hemp, tinted plastic, rutilated quartz, 3″ x 3.25″ x 1.5″

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Head of Josef Franz Fiord Brooch

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Head of Josef Franz Fiord Brooch

Thea Clark, Walterhauser Glacier Brooch, Resin, stones, wood, Antarctic coal, silver, 4" x 2" x .25”

Thea Clark, Walterhauser Glacier Brooch, Resin, stones, wood, Antarctic coal, silver, 4″ x 2″ x .25”

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Walterhauser Glacier Brooch

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View (detail) featuring Walterhauser Glacier Brooch

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View

Thea Clark: Cryosphere So Blue, Installation View