Central Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, May 14, 2009

Nancy Mladenoff's Post-Audubon Opens At Central Park's Arsenal Gallery

by Nancy Mladenoff

The Arsenal Gallery is pleased to present Post-Audubon, a series of watercolor and marker studies of the major species of birds and insects in North America by Wisconsin artist Nancy Mladenoff. By delving into ideas such as botany, entomology, ornithology, geography, and history as they relate to contemporary culture, these works not only become a witty take on the work of John James Audubon, but a post-modern look at naturalism in art. The exhibit will run from May 14 to June 11.

“Nancy Mladenoff’s Post Audubon provides a new way of seeing the natural world, based on the observations of John James Audubon,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Viewers will not only be enriched artistically, but will also learn a great deal about the creatures that inhabit the North American continent. Through the lens of contemporary culture, Mladenoff’s work is sure to inspire exhibit viewers to consider their own interpretations of nature.”

Much like the nineteenth century Audubon, who explored North America by documenting its wildlife, Mladenoff set off on a virtual journey to create her own visual record of the birds and insects that exist on this continent. Utilizing the most current rendition of Audubon's photo field guides, Mladenoff created a free-hand personal interpretation of the species Audubon tracked. Her gestural approach enables each piece to become a part of a unique field guide and not just a study of scientific data.

Nancy Mladenoff received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and her Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has exhibited at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Library of Spain and the Wendy Cooper Gallery in Chicago.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, and wildlife, in the context of New York City parks and their history. The Gallery is located on the third floor of the Park’s headquarters in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery closed on holidays. Admission is free.

PARKS FLEET SHOW 2009

The 21st Annual Vehicle and Equipment Show is coming up Thursday, May 28, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, at the Unisphere. We expect to have over 125 vendors with cars, trucks, field and safety equipment, the latest alternative fuel options, tools, and more. Fleet Owner Magazine will present New York City Parks with a national Fleet of the Year award for our efforts to green our fleet using biodiesel, hybrids, all-electrics, compressed natural gas, and smaller vehicles. Parks also received the National Fleet Manager's Association (NAFA's) first ever Greenest Fleet award in 2008.

We hope you can drop by between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Please pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested. The show is free to all exhibitors and attendees. Questions about the show can be directed to Citywide Operations at 212-360-8223.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.”

Kin Hubbard
(1868 - 1930)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center