Exploring the Depths of Space: A Curatorial Journey

Curated by Ceren Bingol, Imagination of Space is a captivating exhibition presented by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. This project invites exploration and engages with a diverse array of artistic disciplines, including architecture, art, poetry, sound, and performance. Running from June 1 to October 31, 2019, it showcases a series of residencies and exhibitions that celebrate the interplay of imagination within ecological contexts, forms, light, sound, and materials.

Phenomenology of Space (June 1 – October 31)

In a seminar led by Ceren Bingol, ten architecture students dive into the relationship between poetics and architectural practice. Artists Juan Cardona, Claudia D'Auria, Yoonsang Jo, Jisoo Kim, Jihoon Park, Karim Sabry, Jeremy Son, Maren Speyer, Tracy Tan, and Brandy Vazquez present a series of full-scale installations and movable objects that redefine and activate both the physical and emotional dimensions of space. This exhibition facilitates a collaborative dialogue among professional artists, students, and the public.

Descension (June 22 – July 14)

Rebecca Ripple’s installation features aerial views of clouds printed on sandbags, arranged in a protective circle. This work symbolizes both refuge and isolation, flipping the script on traditional depictions of the Assumption of Mary into a heavenly realm. With influences from both nature and the digital world, it presents a unique perspective akin to that of a hovering flying carpet, allowing spectators to appreciate the beauty of the earthly realm as filtered through online experiences.

Rebecca Ripple, originally from Huntington, New York, holds an MFA from Yale University. She has exhibited extensively across the United States and Italy, displaying her work at renowned venues like the Los Angeles Museum of Art and the Armory Center for the Arts. Ripple has been recognized with several awards, including the City of Los Angeles Individual Fellowship and has participated in the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

The Materials Encounters of Anna McDonald (June 15 – June 30)

This collaborative project merges poetry with architecture, inviting visitors to contribute to a collective poem with guidance from students Claudia D'Auria, Karim Sabry, and Tracy Tan, alongside poet Anna McDonald. The downstairs area encourages creativity through personal engagement, while the upstairs transforms the concept of a publication into a physical collection housed in a space filled with prose poems and interactive installations.

Anna McDonald is a celebrated poet with works featured in prestigious publications, including The New Yorker and The Paris Review. Her chapbook was published by artist Jason Dodge.

As Imagination of Space unfolds over the coming months, it promises to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate relationships that define our environments and experiences. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the artwork, contribute to the dialogues, and witness the richly layered narratives that emerge from this dynamic exhibition.