Loretto, Pennsylvania – A fascinating dialogue between nature and industry and their symbiotic relationship unfolds in this artistic showcase.
The exhibit “Harmony in Contrast: Bridging Nature and Industry in Landscape Art'' will be on view through May 12 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum, 112 Franciscan Way, St. Francis University Campus, Loretto.
This show explores the dynamic interplay between the tranquil beauty of nature and the majestic presence of industrial scenes through SAMA's permanent collection.
“We have an incredible permanent collection,” said Hannah Hurley, director of development at SAMA and curator of SAMA Johnstown Museum and Loretto Museum.
“There is so much diversity in the collection and I thought it would be very interesting to juxtapose scenes of industrial life with nature,” she said. “We're an American museum, so we have a lot of American art styles, but we also have a regional focus on what life is like here, not just in terms of the countryside, but also the history of the coal mining. There are a lot of works of art: railroads, industry, factories. I wanted to highlight them by putting them side by side and looking at them a little differently.”
The exhibition spans four galleries, creating a harmonious interaction that incorporates the striking contrasts of the two elements.
“We gave them a lot of space so they could breathe a lot between the pieces,” Hurley said.
In this show, visitors can witness a blend of vibrant, colorful landscapes and frightening and impressive depictions of industrial landscapes.
This juxtaposition serves as a focal point, emphasizing the harmony that emerges when nature and industry coexist within the realm of art.
“This harmonious contrast is a theme that often appears in art, so for us this is a great way to showcase some of the real gems from our collection and to show what life is like here and how It’s a way to show how contrasting they are,” Hurley said. “The contrasts are fun, but it's also the little vignettes of life that you can relate to, and the colorful beauty of the woods next to the factory in Pittsburgh. It's a really interesting way to look at these subjects.”
The exhibition features more than 100 works by notable historical and contemporary artists that reflect the intersection of natural landscapes and industrial infrastructure, including works dating back to the late 1800s.
“We want to show people posters of photographs, paintings, sculptures and lithographs, and we have a variety of mediums so that people can really absorb the material. Artistic expression is the medium It really helps depending on the situation,” Hurley said.
“There is artwork from a variety of sources, scenes, and original subjects, but most are regional. From the rolling Appalachian Mountains to the steel mill and factory workers, the central Pennsylvania experience We focus on that.”
This exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of the visual tensions and harmonies found in landscapes that seamlessly blend the organic and the man-made.
“It offers visitors the opportunity to contemplate the coexistence of seemingly disparate elements and find beauty in their harmony and disharmony,” Hurley said. “Norman Rockwell beautifully depicts the ideal American life. There are also eight-foot paintings and several smaller photographs depicting factory life and landscapes.”
She said these pieces are mixed together in arrangements in ways that are meant to feel somewhat jarring and different.
“There are some pockets that have items that are like a breath of fresh air, so it all comes together in a landscape that feels really soothing,” Hurley said.
“Some of it is factory-set, but it's felt. We're enjoying the contrast that's happening within the exhibition installation, but at the same time giving it a sense of familiarity.”
She added that viewers of the exhibition will see the world a little differently.
“Seeing these industrial scenes and these natural scenes side by side and enjoying this contrast for all of us is a beautiful way to appreciate both,” Hurley said.
“It can show us some of the experience of what it is, its newness. Being able to experience it and see the world in a different way is what we want to achieve through this exhibition. I think that's one of the things.”
Gallery hours are Friday through Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m.
There is no admission fee.
For more information, please visit www.sama-art.org.
