Photographs by Corrado Serra.

“A half-century after the emergence of Pop art as a revolutionary response to new norms of consumerism, this exhibition brings together work by artists who recalibrate this movement in contemporary terms. Continuing to reevaluate popular culture—particularly technology’s increasing mediation of our experience—artists question whether we can still have an authentic encounter, even in the natural world. By viewing nature and the environment through a populist lens, Nature Pops! focuses on the relevance of this new work. Presenting the show in the context of Wave Hill’s gardens adds depth and dimension to the subject.

In this light, Nature Pops! affirms the fascination that the aesthetics of pop culture still has for artists, but offers nuanced perspectives, sometimes subversive, sometimes playful. The artists explore current trends in popular culture to address our connection to nature. One is a continuing dialogue with mass media, advertising imagery and brand identity; another is a critical look at our rampant consumption, as well as how new technology is influencing the way we engage with our surroundings. At times, this Pop-inspired artwork highlights the exuberant aspects of nature; at others, it underscores the enigmatic qualities of our changing relationship to the environment.” — Introductory Wall Text

Nature Pops! is curated by Gabriel de Guzman, Curator of Visual Arts, with Jennifer McGregor, Senior Curator, and Danni Shen, Curatorial Fellow.