To The North Pole And Back
SOIL Opening Reception and Artist Talk:
Thursday, May 4th, from 5–8pm
The show runs from May 4th through 27th, 2023
Gallery hours: Fri-Sun 12-5pm
SOIL Gallery
112 3rd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Telephone: (206) 264-8061
Email: gallery@soilart.org
Expedition Location:
Svalbard Archipelago, Norway
Medium:
Laser Plane Photography, Video and Sound.
Date: October 2-19, 2023
Iole Alessandrini: Artist
The Arctic Circle: Residency Program
Ed Mannery: Optical Engineer, and Astronomer
In support of Iole Alessandrini's
October 2023 Arctic Circle expedition
Iole Alessandrini's To The North Pole And Back is a photographic and scientific expedition aboard a tall ship to the Arctic Circle seen through the lens of art and environmental awareness. An expedition organized by The Arctic Circle.
Embarking on a journey to the North Pole is akin to planning a trip to the moon. It is an audacious expedition that demands meticulous preparation, specialized gear, and unwavering determination to surmount the rugged and isolated terrain. As an artist, I am poised to exploit what I do and know best using my Laser Plane equipment as my creative conduit. My mission is to capture the unparalleled radiance of the Arctic light through the lens of photography, video, and sound. The urgency of this project focuses on the reality of climate change from a novel vantage point, from which I hope to inspire dialogue and empathy, transcending political differences and fostering a collective sense of responsibility towards our environment.
The art on display at SOIL Gallery is available for sale, with proceeds going towards supporting Iole Alessandrini's upcoming expedition. The exhibited artwork is a culmination of Alessandrini's previous projects, such as Greener at the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, Washington, USA (2007-2017) and Endless Spaces at the Museo della Penna, Perugia Italy (2022). These projects provide immersive and contemplative environments for audience participation, where the act of physically moving through visible yet intangible planes made of light solicits wonder and discovery. Alessandrini's innovative use of lasers and optical devices, Ioleography, reveals a matrix of reality hidden in plain sight, amplifying perceptions of point, line, plane, space, and radiation. “By seeing limits and defying boundaries, we awaken our latent potential”, Alessandrini says.
About Iole Alessandrini:
Iole Alessandrini is an Italian-American artist and architect known for her large-scale light installations operating within Minimalism and Light-Space movements. Please see the current May issue of Seattle Magazine with a feature review by Rachel Gallaher. More info: iole.org.
About SOIL Gallery:
SOIL Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Seattle, Washington, that showcases innovative and thought-provoking works by emerging and established artists. The gallery is committed to fostering a vibrant arts community and supporting artists in their creative endeavors. soilart.org.