The Ephemeral exhibition brought together artists, students, faculty and community members for a series of interactive events.
This month marks the culmination of a two-month exhibit of the Art of the Ephemeral on the campus of Adelphi University. Celebration of the transient in artistic expression, Ephemeral brought together artists, students, faculty and community members for a series of interactive events including chalk drawing, dance, yarn bombing and symposia.
Chalk UP, organized by curator Carson Fox, invited the campus and community to chalk up the walkways with images and text. More than 50 teams of hundreds of students, faculty and staff created a wide range of spectacular works in a rainbow of colors across campus.
“Distraction” was performed in the middle of the main campus quad by the Kinesis Project, a New York City-based dance company founded by dancer and choreographer Melissa Riker ’96 and assisted by Kristin Harris ’13 and Brazilian artist and performer Mariana da Costa Pinto. Professional and amateur dancers descended on the Adelphi lawns in an array of strapless gowns, mesmerizing an awe-stuck crowd.
Artists Maureen McCourt and Ashley Caferro of The Rebel Biddy Collective, “yarn bombed” the campus earlier in the week, covering benches, trees, bike racks and even rocks with knitted cozies that surprised and delighted the Adelphi community. Ms. McCourt returned to campus on October 2 to give a knitting demonstration in the gallery, allowing participants to add their own “yarn bomb” to the grounds.
A panel of artists and critics gathered to discuss the ephemeral in contemporary art before a standing-room only crowd in the Recital Hall of the Adelphi Performing Arts Center (AUPAC). Ken Johnson, art critic from The New York Times, David Revere McFadden, head curator of the Museum of Arts and Design, Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, curator El Museo del Barrio, and artists Joe Mangrum and Mac Premo engaged in a lively discussion moderated by Carson Fox.
A reception for the Ephemeral exhibition, celebrating the show and joy of the October 2 events capped off the excitement in the Ruth S. Harley University Center’s gallery that evening.
Adelphi intends to make the celebration of ephemeral art an annual event extending an open invitation to the community to join in exploring the fleeting nature of creativity and its creations.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu