Categories: Cathy Breslaw, THE BUZZ

THE BUZZ: Endangered

Endangered: Exploring California’s Changing Ecosystems

San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery
7250 Mesa College Dr, D101
San Diego, CA 92111
Click HERE for more information

On view through September 28th

Article by Cathy Breslaw

Endangered: Exploring California’s Changing Ecosystems is an interactive and educational exhibition exhibiting the work of eight artists whose practices express these themes. The exhibition highlights the issue of global warming and other environmental concerns, specifically about the southern California region. Using painting, photography, sculpture and video, Stephanie Bedwell, Kira Carrillo Corser, Michael Field, Stacie Birky Greene, Sasha Koozel Reibstein, Jim Riley, Jen Trute and Ruth Wallen present viewers with the realities of the negative effects of harsh chemicals, carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gases, and others have on insects, birds, plant life, and fauna as well as on humans.

Bedwell exhibits the demise of the bee populations with intricate sculptures, Birky Greene focuses on native birds with drawings of those facing extinction, Carrillo Corser includes mixed media works commenting on plastic pollution of our oceans, Field uses photographic landscapes documenting the abundance and scarcity of our waterways, Trute’s surreal paintings focus on the fragile nature of earth’s ecosystems, Reibstein creates organic ceramic sculptures using shiny textured materials to describe changes in the native flora of California, Wallen exhibits photo collages and didactic graphics explaining the negative impact of hazards in our environment on frogs, and Riley presents digital media work informing viewers of the critical habitats in San Diego.

Curator, Danielle Susalla Deery hopes to raise environmental consciousness through the exhibition of the works of these artists. Also included in this exhibition are several educational documents meant to inform viewers about critical habitats in San Diego. Deery encouraged community members to contribute their own photographs of endangered plants and animals and many are exhibited as well. In addition, there is a chalk wall dedicated to gallery visitors so they can express their ideas about how they may positively impact our environment. This exhibition would be well placed in a science museum and places where a larger and broader community of all ages could have an opportunity to raise their awareness of these important issues.

Vanguard Culture

Vanguard Culture is an online media entity designed for culturally savvy, socially conscious individuals. We provide original interviews and reviews of the people, places, and events that make up San Diego’s thriving arts and culture community, as well as curated snapshots of the week’s best, most inspiring and unique cultural and culinary events. We believe in making a difference in the world, supporting San Diego’s vibrant visual and performing arts community and bringing awareness to important social and community causes.