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Picturing Eden September 21 through January 4, 2009 Greta Anderson (New Zealander, born 1968) Hollyhocks and Balinese Bride, 2002, Lamda print copyright Greta Anderson courtesy George Eastman House The Garden of Eden can be perceived as an idealized, mythological place that is protected from knowledge and discord – a paradise of pleasure and ease – or a prison of control and, therefore, sorrow. The artists included in Picturing Eden interpret Paradise through a photographic lens to contemplate, even redefine, accepted ideas of the utopian model garden. Maggie Taylor (American, born 1961) Girl with a Bee Dress, 2004, inkjet print copyright Maggie Taylor courtesy George Eastman House Picturing Eden is divided into four sections that reflect the artists’ perceptions about Eden: Paradise Lost, Paradise Reconstructed, Despairing of Paradise, and Paradise Anew. Camille Solyagua (American, born 1959) Wing Study #10, 1999, gelatin silver print copyright Camille Solyagua courtesy George Eastman House Picturing Eden artists are: Greta Anderson, Wayne Barrar, Jayne Hinds Bidaut, Binh Danh, Susan Derges, Ed Dimsdale, Ruud van Empel, Adam Fuss, Sally Gall, Lyle Gomes, Gavin Hipkins, Matthias Hoch, SimenJohan, IzimaKaoru, Michael Kenna, Mark Kessell, Sally Mann, Lori Nix, Han Nguyen, Michael Parekowhai, John Pfahl, J. John Priola, Michael Rauner, Liz Rideal David Robinson, Josephine Sacabo, Vincent Serbin, Jiří Šigut, Camille Solyagua, Alec Soth, Mike and Doug Starn, HongbinSun, Maggie Taylor, JoAnn Verburg, Terri Weifenbach, Jo Whaley, Masao Yamamoto Jo Whaley (American, born 1953) Harvest, The Fall, 1992, chromogenic print copyright Jo Whaley courtesy George Eastman House Picturing Eden has been organized by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, under the direction of guest curator Deborah Klochko, Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) in California. George Eastman House gratefully acknowledges organizational support from the Comer Foundation; Mondriaan Stichting Foundation, Amsterdam; and Creative New Zealand.

Book Group Offered in association with the exhibition, Picturing Eden Museum of Art Members’ Lounge Free and open to the public. » Book Group Offered in association with the exhibition, Picturing Eden LunchArt Video Ferndale, Western Canyon, Los Angeles; Present Tense; Canyon Time (37 min.) Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:45 am Easton Pribble Room Bring lunch, refreshments provided. Richard O’Sullivan, Artist Preview work by contemporary British artist Richard O’Sullivan, selected for exhibition in the Art Odyssey, an Interactive Gallery for All Ages. Three short films, seen in sequence are especially poignant: the first explores the contrast of ‘real’ and ‘fake’ places, the second juxtaposes 8mm tourist footage – taken from the top of the World Trade Center– with later video images of that same footage playing in the 8mm video camera on which it was shot, and the last seeks to dramatize the contrast between the slow moving time of the natural world and the fleetingness of the human moment. Commentary by Mary E. Murray Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. Followed by a guided tour of Picturing Eden. LunchArt Docent Guided Tours Picturing Eden Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:30 pm Meet in the Edward Wales Root Sculpture Court Free and open to the public Cooking Workshop The Bountiful Garden: A Local Harvest Dinner Tuesday, October 21, 2008 6. to 9 pm Fountain Elms Kitchen and Terrace $25 members; $35 general public Registration is requested by October 15. Space is Limited. Susan and Dariusz Sady, former owners of the Polonaise Restaurant Menu: Maple-Cranberry Glazed Chicken Breast utilizing local maple syrup and fresh cranberries, Kasha Pilaf light, flavorful with a unique taste and texture, Oven-Roasted Seasonal Vegetables made with fresh spices and herbs, and Blueberry-Apple Tarts made with fresh fruits and a homemade butter pastry. This workshop features foods mostly grown in our region. Susan and Dariusz Sady will lead participants on a culinary journey to “Paradise.” The evening ends with everyone sitting down to enjoy these comforting seasonal foods. A hearty wine will accompany the meal. Cooking Workshop Registration Form for October 21, 2008   Art In The Afternoon Illustrated Lecture The Excessive Gardener: Victorians and Their Gardens Thursday, October 23, 2008 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Museum of Art Auditorium Free and open to the public. Allison Kyle Leopold, Journalist and Author, The Victorian Garden Allison Kyles Leopold notes “it was during the second half of the 19th century that Americans first fell in love with the garden. With the same earnestness and diligence that they applied to all other areas of their lives, and the same ardor for artifice and excess, they managed to arrive at an unusual variety of exuberant styles.” This illustrated lecture will examine the roots of the golden age of gardening, exploring the social and cultural forces that propelled the gardening mania of the 19th century, from behavior and manners to the industrialization which brought increased leisure time to the middle class. This program is offered at a time convenient to teachers. All teachers will receive a certificate of completion which may be used to pursue professional development credit. In-service credit is pending for the Utica School District. Teachers must register in advance by contacting the museum education department at 797-0000, extension 2146. Please leave your name and number and the programs you are registering for. MWPAI members and general public are not required to register in advance. LunchArt Docent Guided Tours Picturing Eden Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:30 pm Meet in the Edward Wales Root Sculpture Court Free and open to the public Art In The Afternoon Panel Discussion Temptation in the Garden of Good and Evil Thursday, October 30, 2008 4 to 6 p.m. in Museum of Art Auditorium Free and open to the public. Lesleigh Cushing, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Jewish Studies, Colgate University; Onno Oerlemans, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English, Hamilton College; Judith Oliver, Professor of Art and Art History, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Colgate University; Margaret Thickstun, Ph.D.; Elizabeth McCormack, Professor of English, Hamilton College. This panel will discuss the garden in art, literature and religion. Topics will include Biblical Paradise, our desire to reconstruct a lost Eden through our private gardens and public spaces, our attraction to the garden as a spiritual space, the impact of human intervention on the landscape, and how different cultures and religions interpret Eden or Paradise. If given the opportunity, would we want to go back to Eden? This program is offered at a time convenient to teachers. All teachers will receive a certificate of completion which may be used to pursue professional development credit. In-service credit is pending for the Utica School District. Teachers must register in advance by contacting the museum education department at 797-0000, extension 2146. Please leave your name and number and the programs you are registering for. MWPAI members and general public are not required to register in advance. High School Student Coffeehouse Poetry Event Saturday, November 1, 2008 6 to 9 pm Edward Wales Root Sculpture Court Free and open to the public. Brett Axel, Local Poet, will perform and emcee High school students grades 9 to 12 are invited to submit poetry related to the theme of the exhibition, Picturing Eden. This is a community-invited event where students will read or recite their original poems and compete for prizes. Utica poet Brett Axel, two-time member of the Woodstock National Poetry Slam Team, will emcee the event and assist with the judging along with several members of the Utica Writer’s Guild. Student’s original poems must be received by the museum no later than October 20. Refreshments will be served. Poetry Submission Form Deadline October 20, 2008   Denotes programs designed especially for teachers. Programs and workshops for children.