The Church in Sag Harbor will unveil a new installation on Sunday called "Space - Sight - Line." The show is an examination and a rethinking of the building's exhibition space as it relates to displaying contemporary art.
Christine Sciulli was first approached to make a work intended for the former Methodist church's rafters, which were maintained and kept exposed as part of the building's redesign as an arts and community center. The site is also used for artist residencies.
Ms. Sciulli's piece, inspired by water, will function as both a sculpture and a three-dimensional drawing in space, which has made "the vast ceiling of The Church into her canvas," according to the exhibition organizers.
Other artists with work in the show are Uta Barth, Walead Beshty, Mel Bochner, Tara Donovan, Sol LeWitt, Gordon Matta-Clark, Matthew Satz, Keith Sonnier, and Steven J. Yazzie.
The works chosen will reflect how these artists address visual perception, incorporating the perspective of the potential viewer. The works may offer optical illusions that cause those in front of them to question what they are seeing.
The "surprising uses of space, light, and unexpected media and approaches to art-making empower the art," The Church said in a release. "It makes us look at ourselves looking and invites interaction -- and will bring a whole new level of drama and delight to experiencing the iconic architecture of The Church."
Even given the building's quirks and unusual repurposing, Sara Cochran, the site's chief curator and the one in charge of this show, said, it has proven itself as an "incredibly sympathetic place to show art." The goal of this exhibition is to push that outcome even further by making those in the building conscious of where they are and what they are experiencing.
This is the space's spring show, and it will be on view through May 26. An opening reception will take place on Saturday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
