Summon the Sea! Contemporary Artists and Moby Dick
November 1, 2019 to February 16, 2020 Jepson CenterRegarded as one of the great American novels, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick (1851) presents an allegorical story that has been reinterpreted over the past 168 years and still holds a prophetic power over our collective imagination. Scholars have long debated its interpretations of humanity’s dangerous search for meaning; conflict between good and evil; the struggle between individualism and socialism, between science and nature; the capitalistic quest for profits at any cost; and the triumphs and failings of American values.
Summon the Sea! Contemporary Artists and Moby Dick examines the work of six contemporary artists—Corey Arnold, Guy Ben-Ner, Patty Chang, Tristin Lowe, Allan Sekula, and Frank Stella—who act as epic storytellers as they respond to, challenge, and celebrate the allegories presented in Melville’s literary classic through large-scale sculpture, photography, prints, and video made since 1985. These artists were selected for the epic nature of their own searching: the bodies of work on view represent a similar tome-like status in each artist’s oeuvre—they were either painstakingly created over multiple years or were executed on an epic scale warranted by a novel like Moby-Dick. These artists’ work encourages dialogue about ecology and nature, economics and industry, human psychology and emotion.
The exhibition comprises four major exhibition galleries in the Jepson Center. Steward South and Kane Gallery: November 1, 2019 – February 16, 2020. Levitt and Varnedoe Galleries: October 11, 2019 – January 26, 2020.
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View image 1 in lightbox:
![Frank Stella, Moby Dick Deckle Edges Series: A Bower in the Arsacides (Axsom 219)]()
Frank Stella (American (b. 1936); Moby Dick Deckle Edges Series: A Bower in the Arsacides (Axsom 219), edition 8/38, 1993; lithograph, etching, aquatint, relief and collagraph; 58 1/4 x 49 5/8 inches; Collection Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Schnitzer Family Foundation; © Frank Stella
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View image 2 in lightbox:
![Guy Ben-Ner's Moby Dick]()
Guy Ben-Ner (Israeli, b. 1969); Moby Dick, 2000; Video (color, silent); 12:35 minutes; Courtesy the artist and Postmasters Gallery, New York © Guy Ben-Ner
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View image 3 in lightbox:
![Patty Chang, Invocation for a Wandering Lake]()
Patty Chang (American, b. 1972); Invocation for a Wandering Lake, 2015–2016; Installation view; projection, video (color, sound); Dimensions variable; Courtesy the artist and BANK/MABSOCIETY; © Patty Chang
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View image 4 in lightbox:
![Tristin Lowe, Mocha Dick]()
Tristin Lowe (American, b. 1966); Mocha Dick, 2009; Wool felt, vinyl coated fabric, and internal fan; 127 x 165 x 609 inches; in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA, West Collection, Oaks PA; © Tristin Lowe
Summon the Sea! Contemporary Artists and Moby Dick is organized by Telfair Museums and curated by Rachel Reese, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Exhibition support provided by: Kelley and Josh Keller, Sylvaine and David Neises Fund for Exhibitions, and Susan G. and Thomas V. Reilly Fund for Exhibitions.
Annual exhibition support provided by Director’s Circle Council Members:
| Bob Faircloth Anonymous Jules and Doug Bain Mr. and Mrs. Dale C. Critz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dale C. Critz, Sr. Alice and Bob Jepson Mr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Kleisner Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Levy Wilson and Linda Fisk Morris Cathy and Philip Solomons Mr. and Mrs. Dwaine L. Willett Ms. Susan Willetts and Mr. Alan K. Pritz Dr. Victor L. Andrews |
Melissa and Kelly Bouchillon Mr. and Mrs. Gary T. Capen Leda Chong and Kevin Dewalt Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Coker, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. F. Reed Dulany III Lindsay and Brent Harlander Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Haynes III Kelley and Josh Keller Carolyn Luck Linda and Tom McWhorter Courtney and Jay Neely Mr. and Mrs. David E. Paddison Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rabinowitz Thomas V. and Susan G. Reilly Ms. Swann Seiler Randall and Valerie Stolt Mr. and Mrs. John L. Tucker |
