Horror Vacui: Fear of the Empty, juried exhibition, Erica Berkowitz, Juror. The exhibit is on display from July 19 through August 24, 2019. Opening reception is Friday, July 19th from 6 – 8pm at the Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. This is a free event, all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
In visual art, horror vacui (from Latin “fear of empty space”), also kenophobia (from Greek “fear of the empty”), is the filling of the entire surface of a space or an artwork with detail. In physics, “horror vacui” reflects Aristotle’s idea that “nature abhors an empty space.” Horror vacui uses high levels of detail to contrast with the sublime unknown.
Art history is filled with examples of horror vacui from arabesque decoration of early Islamic art and the engravings of Renaissance printmaker Jean Duvet to contemporary works of Kehinde Wiley. What is the visual representation of fear of the empty? The Huntington Arts Council invited artists to reflect and submit work in line with this subject.
Congratulations to the following participating artists: Anjipan, Eiman Adeil, Melanie Berardicelli, Holly Black, Mary Brodersen, Doris Diamond, Richard Froman, Bill Grabowski, Brian Grandfield, Chrysoula Highland, Libby Hintz, Melissa Johnides, Jacques LeBlanc, Yossi Manor, Jeanette Martone, Latifa Mazza, Kristen Memoli, Emily Mintz, Kasmira Mohanty, Maria Oliveira, Toxic/Nature Studios, Alisa Shea, Meredith Smith, Pamela Waldroup, Stephen Wyler, Nancy Yoshii
It was an absolute pleasure to juror Horror Vacui for the Huntington Arts Council. The wealth of interpretation commingled with some fantastic talents coming from our local community proved to be both inspiring and engaging. This is a collection of work that will leave you emotionally and intellectually filled, just as the art itself accomplishes. Said Juror Erica Berkowitz
About the Juror: Erica Berkowitz, Director at Haven Gallery, has her bachelor’s degree in art history from Stony Brook University and her master’s degree in contemporary art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She has worked locally on Long Island at the Nassau County Museum of Art and the Islip Art Museum. Most recently, she left her position as director of Last Rites Gallery in NYC for nearly three years to open up her own gallery space. Prior to directing at Last Rites, she was the Director of Press and Publications at Forum Gallery. She has been working in the art world for more than eight years.