LAGUNA BEACH, CA.- Laguna Art Museum has commenced its highly anticipated 11th annual Art + Nature, which began on November 2. This multidisciplinary celebration of art's interaction with the natural world is the highlight of LAM's yearly calendar. Art + Nature brings together a diverse community of thousands of people, fostering a deeper connection with the environment and bridging the realms of nature and art.
"The 11th annual Art + Nature celebrates the enduring connection between art and nature, reinforcing our commitment to preserving California's rich artistic heritage and making the world a better place," said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. This year's event boasts cutting-edge exhibitions, including:
Escape - Route by Luciana Abait
On view from November 2 through March 8, 2024, Abait's narrative installation immerses viewers in a road trip through the American West. A sculptural map underscores our world's physicality and interconnectedness, while striking images guide the audience through diverse environments, ultimately leading to water as a symbol of life and renewal.
Burghers of Cali: A Ballad of Redwood Spirits by Andre Woodward
Examining complex human relationships with nature, Woodward's installation centers on California's Coastal Redwoods. These ancient trees, facing threats from historical wood harvesting, highlight the current climate and environmental challenges. On view from November 2 through February 4, 2024.
The Artists
Cristopher Cichocki is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the cycle of decay and renewal, delving into the intricate relationships between humanity, the natural world, and industrial transformation. Cichocki's New Earth Art underscores the pressing global environmental challenges facing our planet in the 21st century. His site-responsive practice creates new ecosystems using organic and synthetic materials and sound, invoking a world where deserts submerge underwater, and macrocosms are viewed through a microscopic lens. Cichocki's work includes Circular Dimensions, an ever-evolving series of audiovisual performances showcased worldwide. He attended CalArts and Yale Norfolk School of the Arts and has exhibited his work in numerous prestigious institutions and collections around the globe.
Luciana Abait, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and currently based in Los Angeles, is a multimedia artist exploring themes of climate change and environmental fragility, with a particular focus on their impact on immigration. Abait's work has been exhibited extensively in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia, in solo exhibitions at galleries, museums and international art fairs. Her diverse portfolio includes corporate and public art commissions, such as "Vistas," a 24-foot mural commissioned by Miami-Dade Art in Public Places and "Hong Kong Windows," commissioned by Swire Properties in Hong Kong. Her artwork has been featured in prominent publications, including The Art Newspaper, Los Angeles Times, Hyperallergic, Aesthetica and Stir World.
Andre Woodward, a Southern California artist, explores the intricate relationship between humanity and nature. Born in Newport Beach, Woodward holds an MFA Cum Laude from California State University Long Beach and a BA from The University of California at Irvine. His sculptures are a testament to the interconnectedness of humans and nature, transforming the ordinary into multi-sensory installations that challenge our perception of reality. Woodward's work has been exhibited internationally and featured in notable publications. He has received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to the art world.
Keynote Speaker
Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an award-winning author, naturalist, ecophilosopher and speaker whose work delves into the profound connections between humans and the natural world. Her newest book, Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (Little, Brown Spark 2021), continues her tradition of blending scientific knowledge with poetic prose. Haupt's writing has earned acclaim and her previous books have received numerous awards. She has also directed educational programs, worked in raptor rehabilitation and conducted seabird research. Haupt's essays have been featured in a range of publications, solidifying her status as a prominent voice in the exploration of our relationship with the wild natural world.
Art + Nature is generously sponsored by the FOA Foundation of Laguna Beach, National Charity League, Inc., Gary and Kellie Johnson, Ken and Jan Kaplan, Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima, Elie Weaver and Hilton Weinberg and anonymous donors.
