Natural World Museum and Anima Mundi-Soul of the World
Friday, October 1 through October 31
Tuesday - Friday, 10-7 pm; Saturday-Sunday 10-5 pm
suggested contribution of $4 general or $2 student/seniors
----/ Event Description /-----------------------------------------------
INTRODUCING THE NATURAL WORLD MUSEUM
AND ITS DEBUT ENVIRONMENTAL ART EXHIBITION
ANIMA MUNDI ~ “SOUL OF THE WORLD”
San Francisco, CA – It is with great pleasure we introduce the Natural
World Museum’s debut
art exhibition Anima Mundi – “Soul of the World” which features ten
installations of art
covering 6,000 years of history, from ancient and indigenous objects to
contemporary and
multi-media visions at the Herbst International Exhibition Hall,
Building 385 Moraga St. in
the Presidio of San Francisco, from October 1-31, 2004, Tues – Fri.
10am to 7pm, Sat – Sun
10am – 5pm, with a suggested admission contribution of $4 general or $2
students and
seniors.
As the Natural World Museum plans for a permanent site in the San
Francisco Bay Area,
highlights from its permanent collection will be featured in special
exhibitions, starting with
Anima Mundi – “Soul of the World” in October of 2004. The Natural World
Museum is the
world’s first venue entirely dedicated to environmental preservation
through art and
education. Its mission is to showcase educational art exhibitions that
cultivate environmental
awareness and provide new perspectives that stimulate social engagement
in conversation.
The curatorial team of Anima Mundi – “Soul of the World”, guided by
nationally-know
museum specialist Jacquelynn Baas, has brought together works of art
ranging from
environmental paintings by world renowned nature artist Robert Bateman
and photographs
of the Presidio by photographer Vincent Versace, to objects from the
collection of national
partnering institutions: the California Academy of Sciences and the
Northwest Museum of
Arts and Culture. Chinese Han Dynasty sculpture from the Babka
Collection are the oldest
works of art in the exhibition, wile a multi-media installation of
ecological art from around
the world implemented by Sam Bower, founder of the Greenmuseum.org
brings the viewer
into the present.
“Environmental Art is not just an art movement; it is a social
movement,” states Mia Hanak,
Executive Director of the Natural World Museum. “Art is an emblem of
civilization and the
cornerstone of conservation. Since time immemorial, creative expression
is how we humans
have turned our concepts and beliefs into action.”
Hanak adds, “The Natural World Museum’s cutting-edge concept is
generating interest and
partnership from institutions from around the world. It’s exciting to
have the San Francisco
Bay Area as the launch-pad for this movement.”
Partnerships encompass an evocative educational context about
conservation will be
provided through a bio-acoustic soundscape created by the legendary
Bernie Krause, a
photographic journey through conservation efforts put together by the
Costa Rica
Conservation Trust, and an interactive green-screen experience created
by Incredible Places.
Also featured will be projects with the museum’s current educational
partners, the Jane
Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, and the Lakota’s Midnight
Strong Heart Society.
Steve Seidel, Director of Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of
Education, has provided
educational guidance regarding learning and assessment.
In its debut year, the museum “without walls” will also launch a
teacher training program
with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots Program, provide
education outreach to
hundreds of underserved students and urban youth through their Planet
Art program for the
2004-2005 school year, offer internship and mentoring opportunities for
university students,
and secure a permanent site for the museum.
Living, breathing life-on-earth has been called Anima Mundi, a Latin
term meaning the “Soul
of the World,” regarded by ancient philosophers as the divine essence
that embraces and
energizes all life on earth. A unifying human vision of this sustaining
natural energy which
continuously flows through the five elements of nature (earth, water,
fire, air, and space) is
the inspiration behind the exhibition and the future museum.
The exhibition itself is conceived of as a work of art; a “next
generation museum” showcase
co-designed by Christophe Cornubert, a visionary architect pushing the
boundaries of
sustainable design and Hirokazu Kosaka. The temporary exhibition space
is intended to be a
contemplative sanctuary, offering an immersive experience in which the
connectivity between
function and art evoke inherent natural wisdom.
“The art will serve as a catalyst for interactive programs that will
include workshops, lectures,
a major symposium, film series, and cultural performances,” explains
Hanak. “It is in the
process of sharing these artists’ deep sense of belonging to our earth
that the consciousness
of humanity can evolve to a deeper understanding of what it means to be
a part of the legacy
of our natural world.”
Robert Bateman, the Natural World Museum’s featured artist explains
“The natural world as
seen by artists has a crucial role to play, not only in bringing
pleasure and appreciation
to individual lives, but in showing us all the natural treasures we
need to cherish and
protect.”
Natural World Museum’s Anima Mundi – “Soul of the World” Exhibition
Highlights:
Environmental Paintings, a special collection by artist Robert Bateman
Carbon Walls, composed by the five elements by Hirokazu Kosaka
Wild Soundscapes, five stressed habitats by Bernie Krause, Wild
Sanctuary
Digital Garden, featuring work from 30 ecological artists,
Greenmuseum.org
Mineral Garden, natural objects, from the California Academy of Sciences
Native North American Art, from the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
Ancient Chinese Ceramics, from the Babka Collection
Presidio’s Natural Treasures, a collection of photographs by Vincent
Versace
Biodiversity between Oceans and Continents, by the Costa Rica
Conservation Trust
Five Elements Experience, interactive green-screen, Incredible Places
Planet Art Education Station, Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots
program
Lakota Vision, sustainability model, Midnight Strong Heart Society
Contemplation Café & Lounge, tea shop and lounge for film and lectures
NWM Public Program Highlights
Visit www.naturalworldmuseum.org for a complete description of programs
Opening Gala Celebration – Oct. 1st, 7–9pm (VIP reception 6-7 pm),
Presidio, tickets
$65, $50 advance
Public Grand Opening – Native American Ceremony – Oct. 2nd, 11am,
Presidio, $4, $2
students/seniors
Master Artist Seminar with Robert Bateman - Oct. 3rd, 10am – 1pm, SF
Art Institute,
$50, $25 student
“Planet Art” Youth Environmental Creativity Day – Oct.10th, 10am –
4pm, Presidio, free
“Eco-Fashion Show” – Creativity on the Catwalk - Oct. 16th, 8pm –
midnight, Presidio, $15
“Artist Pioneers in Conservation”, Discussion & Walk – Oct. 17th ,
3–5pm, Presidio, $15
“Toward a Culture of Sustainability” Symposium – Oct. 23rd 9am–4pm,
$30/15 students,
SFAI
Closing Reception - Halloween - Oct. 31st 6pm – midnight, Presidio,
$10
Tuesday Evening Lecture Series ~ Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 - 7–9 pm, Presidio
˙Wednesday Evening Film Series ~ Oct 6,13, 20, 27, 7-9 pm, Presidio
Presidio Location: Building 385 Moraga St., Herbst International
Exhibition Hall
SF Art Institute Location: 800 Chestnut Street (between Leavenworth &
Jones)
The Natural World Museum is a 501 ©(3) nonprofit tax-exempt charitable
organization.
Our mission is to showcase educational art exhibitions that cultivate
environmental
awareness and provide new perspectives that stimulate social engagement
in conservation.
For detailed information about The Natural World Museum’s collections,
programs, and
partners, please visit www.naturalworldmuseum.org.
This exhibition is made possible with the generous support of the Fort
Mason Foundation.
----/ Venue Info /------------------------------------------------------
Herbst International Exhibition Hall
Located on The Presidio, Moraga at Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA
415-378-6497
http://www.naturalworldmuseum.org
Accessible through the following Presidio Gates: Marina (Marina Blvd.
& Lyon St), Lombard
(Lombard & Lyon St), Presidio Blvd. (Presidio & Pacific St); or
Arguello (Arguello Blvd. &
Jackson St.)
----/ Additional Info /-------------------------------------------------
mia@naturalworldmuseum.org
415-378-6497
http://www.naturalworldmuseum.org |