The exhibition titled The Ark at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn features over 90 animal-themed sculptures from more than 50 artists. Curated by Eric Fischl, this collection brings together a wide variety of materials including bronze, resin, wood, and stone. The works range from Maurizio Cattelan’s pigeons perched on rafters to intimate pieces by artists like Kiki Smith and Jeffrey Gibson.
This show connects the biblical myth of the flood to current environmental concerns. By placing these sculptures in a former warehouse near the Gowanus Canal, the exhibition emphasizes a relationship with nature within a post-industrial setting. The venue itself, once known as the Batcave, sits next to an area marked for cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency. This location provides a contrast to the focus on wildlife and environmental change.
Visitors walk through a space filled with animal figures arranged from floor to ceiling. The curators want to move past simple warnings about environmental crisis, preferring to highlight intimate encounters and relationships between people and animals. The emotional range of the pieces spans from wonder to grief, providing a grounded view of our connection to the living world.
The exhibition remains open until August 30. It serves as a reminder of how art can frame our interactions with the environment without relying on alarmist narratives. The scale of the work and the number of participating artists offer a look at how different creators approach nature as a subject in modern times.