Lovers of art and supporters of ocean conservation will be in their element at the upcoming Blue Minds exhibition in London. An artist-led collective comprising 26 world-leading contemporary creatives, Blue Minds frames the ocean as an endless source of inspiration and highlights why a healthy ocean matters. This fully immersive show offers soundscapes, photography, installations, paintings, wearable art brands, ceramics, films, sculptures, workshops, talks, interactive media and discussion rooms.
Inspired by the tireless work of marine biologists and in association with the Blue Marine Foundation, Blue Minds exhibition makes explicit the mutuality artists share with scientists. Both have a deep, constant observation of their subject; both are seeking to make us aware of problems like over-fishing and pollution, and both use creativity to find solutions and give us hope. Whilst science gives us the tools to understand the complexity behind the beauty of nature’s integrated systems – such as the ocean’s ‘hope spots’ documented in the film Blue Mission – art enables us to express our feelings about the world and provides a point of connection for the viewer.
Blue Minds asks two central questions: why are we disconnected and how can artists help us to find creative solutions to ocean conservation? “If we consider art like the ocean’s surface – a beautiful mirror to the world – then the creative process can be likened to what happens beneath the waves. It is there, in that hidden space of trial and error, observation and form creation, that we will find solutions for a sustainable future.” said curator, Nico.
The world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and wetlands are collectively known as blue space and cover 71% of our planet. Their health and biodiversity is critical to our physical and mental well-being. The role of the ocean in regulating the Earth’s climate is increasingly understood, as is the extent to which extracting life from the ocean is damaging its capacity to absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Restoring life in the ocean is vital to the future of the human race.
Blue Minds features a stellar line up of artists, co-curated by AH studios, Julia Campbell-Carter and Nico Earle including: Mariele Neudecker, Anne de Carbuccia, Andrea Hamilton, Marcus Lyon, Emma Critchley, Bridget Smith, Gregor Hildebrandt, Callum Innes, Phillip Hunt, Carola Dixon, Gideon Rubin, Anna Barriball, Emma Elliott, Kate Braine, Renelio Marin, Jordi Raga, Crystal Fischetti, Karolina Woolf and Dawit Abebe.
Fresh from the successful Light Works show at AH Studio, they are joined by painter Aigana Gali, and fine wearable art by Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery, with Maya Sanbar creating an immersive experience for this show and Stories of Art who will be providing two lectures. What these artists share is a love for our blue spaces, and a commitment to documenting or responding to what is unseen or hidden from the public.
Blue Minds exhibition will run from the 24th of June to the 6th of July and 15% of proceeds from the exhibition will go to the Blue Marine Foundation. Government advice on health and safety is being followed and all visitors are asked to wear a face covering while at the gallery. Expect free admission into the gallery but booking is essential for the events program, see the line-up of events here:
24 June: Opening
25 June, 11.30am: Curatorial conversation with artists Emma Critchley and Mariele Neudecker,
28 June, 11am: Stories of Art with Elisabetta Cipriani Wearable Art
29 June, 11am: Talk with Emma Elliot
29 June, 5pm: Blue Marine Foundation Event / Talk with Jasmine Harrison about her astonishing row across the Atlantic in support of the Blue Marine Foundation in February. Sponsored by Catherine Prevost and Chene Bleu
30 June: Stories of Art talk
1 July, 5pm-7pm: Ben Goldsmith CEO Menhaden can Co Founder of WHEB Group
2 July, 12noon: Talk with artist Marcus Lyon
5 July: Art Experiences Workshop
6 July: Art Experiences Workshop
Factbox
June 24th – 6th July 2021
BLUE MINDS Gallery, 127 Sloane Street, SW1 X9AS
BLUE MINDS Screenings at AH Studio, 68 Kinnerton Street, SW1 X8ER
In association with the Blue Marine Foundation.
Featured image shows wearable art by Elisabetta Cipriani and Ai Weiwei.
