Sept 19 • ADORNING THE EARTH, exhibition by artist Carmen Bouyer

The exhibition ADORNING THE EARTH presents a series of textile works painted with natural dyes by French artist Carmen Bouyer. The central art piece is a seed library specifically designed to host seeds for the community. 

The artworks depict the unique ecologies of the Greenpoint neighborhood, highlighting its proximity with the waters of the East River and the Newtown Creek. The painted images of the land are adorned with colorful necklaces made of fabric, each holding a seed variety. The seeds come from edible and medicinal plants that are beneficial to humans, plants that provide food and shelter to non humans, as well as plants that provide a healthy environment for all by cleaning air, water and soil. 

The places, and many of the plants and seeds that are highlighted in the exhibition, have been tended to by the Lenape people for centuries. We honor and give thanks for the legacy of all the seed keepers and land stewards of the Lenape Nations who have supported the native plant diversity until today. Gratitude to all the seed keepers who are sharing their seeds with us. With respect for each other, may this collective work benefit the local land and all its inhabitants.

We welcome you on September 19th, for an opening evening. The show will be up for a week, until September 26th. Printed textiles depicting a selection of plants will be for sale. The seed library will remain at the bookstore, to be activated by anyone who wishes to share seeds and sow them in a welcoming environment.

•

Carmen Bouyer is a Paris based artist, co-creating site-specific regenerative artworks and gatherings. She has lived in New York City for four years, developing a creative dialogue with its riverside landscapes, especially when living in Red Hook, Greenpoint and on the New Town Creek.

•
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19
7PM