Natural Discourse & Levy Art + Architecture present
Consider the Oyster: Art, Science & Culture
A storefront window exhibit at Levy Art + Architecture 2501 Bryant St, San Francisco
Join us on February 27th from 5 to 8 for a safe, streetside opening at 2501 Bryant St
Opens this Saturday February 27 from 5 to 8
Join us as we consider pinhole cameras inside oyster shells, native oyster restoration at the Presidio and oyster farming and feasting in Tomales Bay. Participating artists and scientists: Taylor Griffith, David Janesko, Margaret Ikeda and Evan Jones, Chris Kallmyer, Gwendolyn Meyer and Jonathan Young.
David Janesko’s poetic series of pinhole cameras Forest/Oyster was the initial inspiration for the exhibit. Delicate images of the forest surrounding the Willapa Bay in Oregon are imprinted on the inside the oyster shells. Jonathan Young, wildlife ecologist at the Presidio, provided us with concrete oyster reef balls and computer designed oyster panels by Margaret Ikeda and Evan Jones of Architectural Ecologies Lab. These objects are part of a native oyster restoration project at the new Quarter Master Reach tidal wetland at the Presidio. Taylor Griffith’s Heard Above, a 19 minute video was filmed at Quarter Master Reach and will be projected every weekend from dusk to 9 pm. From ecology to oyster farming and culinary delights, Chris Kallmyer will be showing Consider the Oyster a two channel video about the last year of the Drake’s Bay Oyster company and we have series of Gwendolyn Meyer’s photos from her beautiful book Oyster Culture.
Healthy oyster reefs are a proven way to effectively reduce water pollution and improve the marine environment. While other bivalves also possess the ingenious ability to clean water while flushing out pollutants as they feed, none are simultaneous symbols of feasting, as is the oyster. Gwendolyn Meyer
Natural Discourse is collaborating with Levy Art + Architecture to consider this wondrous bi-valve. The art gallery will be visible from the street where anyone can view it, 24 hours a day, beginning at 2501 Bryant St, San Francisco.
Many thanks to Emmanuel Coup, Gene Grealish, Heidi Gregory at Tomales Bay Oyster Co and Ross Levy and his staff for support of this exhibit.
Natural Discourse is an ongoing series of symposia, publications and site-specific art installations that explore the connections between art, culture, science and site.
Natural Discourse is curated by Shirley Alexandra Watts