Verdant Ground

Photography, music and plantscaping at CAS

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The CAS Arts Center will present Verdant Ground, a collaborative exhibition of work by photographer Karen Bell and sound artist Nick Forte with horticultural consultant Ed Mues, starting on Saturday, September 27 and running through Sunday, November 9. There will be an artists’ talk on Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by an opening reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The show, appearing in Gallery One and the Main Hall, will feature over 15 nature photographs by Bell, predominantly of grasses, with an original sound installation, a symphony for eight tape recorders, created by Forte. An installation of living flora will be incorporated by Mues and will be viewable after dark from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the gallery windows throughout the run of the show.

Bell holds an MFA in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited her photographs, artist books and videos throughout the United States and internationally. Her work is included in numerous collections, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the New York Public Library.

Forte is a composer of experimental music based in Livingston Manor. In addition to being a solo recording artist, he plays in the Brooklyn-based experimental bands Christmas Decorations and Hells Hills, and has released numerous albums with record labels such as Community Library, Kranky, Schematic and 12K. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. His newest solo album will be released on limited edition vinyl in 2009.

Mues started his own horticulture business in 1973, providing interior plantscaping and maintenance to commercial and residential clients in NYC. In 1992 he joined the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County as a Horticultural Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator. He writes a column, “Garden of Ed,” for The Towne Crier newspaper.

Gallery hours for the exhibition are Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment. The CAS Arts Center is wheelchair accessible.

For information call 845/434-4227.