NOW THROUGH OCT. 1, 2016
UP All NIGHT (EXPECT A MIRACLE) MATT SPAHR & VALERIE MOLNAR
When growing ficus indoors, it is important to maintain a relatively high humidity around the plant. And if you don't believe us, we suggest you come and visit. Stay Up All Night to enjoy the sunset with your ficus tree (often featured as shelter from danger) while debating on both real and romantic ideas of the inherent and potentially inherent attributes of naturally occurring phenomenon in our universe.
Always check the top of the soil when expecting a miracle. If the top of the soil is wet, do not water as this means they have enough moisture. Give yourself a shot of this every 9 days for achieving greater symbiotic balance and happinesses in you and your botanical partners.
Leaf drop is a ficus tree’s standard reaction to stress but struggle is nature's way of physically and metaphysically strengthening it. Careful observation is the only key to true and complete awareness, and that knowledge is gonna eat you alive from the inside out.
Matt Spahr, a sculptor from California (among other places), and
Valerie Molnar, a painter from Cleveland, investigate the transfer of
energy and the dynamic exchange within nature with color, form, and
complex time based installation. The collaboration began in 2012 as
their work collided through their friendship and mutual love for
plants. They both teach at Virginia Commonwealth University. Matt
earned his BFA from California State and Valerie from The Cleveland
Institute Of Art, they both made their move to Richmond for their
MFA's at VCU. The duo received a VMFA Professional fellowship this
year, they attended Mountain Lake's Art Lab Residency last summer,
and have recently returned from this year’s residency at Wave Pool
Gallery in Cincinnati Ohio.
EXHIBITION DATES: SEPTEMBER 2 - OCTOBER 1, 2016
SPAHR/MOLNAR statement: We as a collaborative team investigate the transfer of energy
and the dynamic exchange within nature with color, form, and
complex time based installation. Through plants, residual
haunting, sculpture, and painting we experiment and debate on
both real and romantic ideas of the inherent and potentially
inherent attributes of naturally occurring phenomenon in our
universe. We work together to think about and create
environments for the happiness of plants and people while
researching botanical care and theory.
Exploring the idea of home and space for these ‘houseplants’ we
ask questions to our domesticated friends about what they might
be missing from their native homes. We imagine things that could
help with their happiness like being with more mature partners,
sunsets, fresh air, bugs, rain showers, and more metaphysical
ideas like healing springs water, nonpercussive
music and
purple tesla plates.
We are also interested in assisting plants’ human counterparts
to be better partners in order to reach greater symbiotic
balance and happinesses. Some of our social outreach projects
have included learning to meditate with your plant, dancing with
your plant, and exercising with your plant which raise happiness
levels in humans creating positive environments for thriving
while also producing essential CO2 and humidity through
breathing and moving. Or, plants and their people can enjoy a
sunset together indoors.
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