The GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art in Greensboro unveiled plans for H2O, an ambitious, multi-media exhibition that highlights novel approaches to environmental stewardship. The exhibits can be viewed from March 5 to June 25, 2022.
The timely works by artists Caroline Armijo, James Barnhill, Carolyn Henne, Bryant Holsenbeck, Kevin Palme, Barbara Tyroler and Will Warasila will feature large-scale, site-specific installations, documentary photography, and environmental art collaborations.
In advance of the exhibition, workshops at GreenHill offer the public opportunities to help build the ‘waterfall’ through bottle cutting and binding spiraled plastic. “When H2O is over repurposed water bottles will transform into high-performance fibers at Unifi’s Reidsville plant,” explained Barbara Richter, Greenhill’s executive director.
The centerpiece of the H2O exhibition is a cascading public “waterfall” composed of 10,000 plastic bottles by environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck. Located in the atrium of the Greensboro Cultural Center, the “waterfall” is one of several installations that draw attention to the waste stream of our society. Holsenbeck’s work offers a compelling example of community-building around environmental stewardship”, explained Richter.
Collaborating partners for sourcing and prepping discarded bottles for the mammoth installation include Unifi Corporation (a global leader in recycling plastics), Greensboro Day School, and The Rotary Club of Greensboro.
“Exhibiting artists explore converging disciplines of art and science to innovate solutions, raise awareness, and re-think the roles we all can play to create a better tomorrow,” explained Richter. Curator Edie Carpenter added, “Artists in this exhibition engage us in a deeper understanding of our relationship to water as individuals and communities. H2Ooffers creative approaches to repurposing waste products and advocates for change.”
The H2O exhibition presents programming for all ages during the exhibition (March to June) from artist presentations to elementary school eco-art education. Additionally, #H20, a juried online exhibition for young artists will open to middle and high school students across North Carolina in early March.
Jim Barnhill – “Exxon Valdez”
Will Warasila – “Coal Ash Pond #27”
Kevin Palme – “Cumulonimbus”
Barbara Tyroler – “Water-Crossing”