Daytrippin’ For The Arts: Gowanus’ Vanderbilt Republic Takes Over Snug Harbor In Staten Island

One of Gowanus’ cultural outposts has taken their show on the road. And what a worthwhile trip it is.

George Del Barrio has curated some stunning and engaging exhibitions throughout the last year. Gowanus Loft — a partnership between Del Barrio and artist Ashton Worthington — has served as an art space as well as home base for his creative agency Vanderbilt Republic (VR).

Del Barrio is an artist in his own right, most recently collaborating with Worthington on the sublime Camera Obscura/Gowanus installation which took place in February and March of this year.

And now, his Vanderbilt Republic has launched a bold exhibition in a borough next door.

Nope, not Queens, with its vibrant artistic scene. Not Manhattan either, with Chelsea galleries galore.

Staten Island.

And you may be unaware of the gem of an institution VR’s εὖτόπος, (Eutopia) is showing at: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, which opened in 1801 as a place for sailors to retire, a “haven for aged, decrepit and worn out sailors.” Founded by benefactor Robert Richard Randall, the place was originally called Sailors’ Snug Harbor, but fell into disrepair during the mid-20th Century.

With help from activists, artists, and the community, Snug Harbor became a bastion of history, architecture, visual art, theater, dance, music, and environmental science. In 2008, it merged with the Staten Island Botanical Gardens.

“Snug Harbor was my art studio home away from home,” says Brooklyn resident and graphic artist Nicole Block, who grew up on Staten Island. “From ages 10-17, I practically lived there on the weekends. I learned my craft, I got my therapy (in the form of painting), and I met my still-best friends. Snug Harbor will always be a part of me.”

Before Eutopia came to Snug Harbor, Del Barrio curated a series of shows at Gowanus Loft with the seven artists featured in this sprawling exhibit which takes you through the sterling architecture and gardens of the complex.

While we weren’t able to attend all seven solo exhibitions, we had a chance to experience the striking work of both Carlton Scott Sturgill and Dale Williams.

Del Barrio explains that the exhibit’s name is “derived from the Greek εὖ (‘good’ or ‘well’) and τόπος (‘place’), which describes a society with qualities considerably better than ours.”

However, the exhibit doesn’t simply transfer work from Gowanus to Snug Harbor. The artists created original pieces which respond to the history, architecture, and surroundings of their exhibition home.

“I thought a lot about the sailors and their history for some of the work that will be showing,” said artist Dale Williams.

The work in the exhibition functions in a variety of ways — and the most successful experiences take place when the installations either completely transform the space or are seamlessly integrated within the environment.

The most powerful examples come from artist Sabrina Barrios and TJ Volonis. Barrios’ Coup D’Etat: How to Resist is in “The Hyphen” — a narrow hallway visually segmented by a series of string-like webbings. The installation displays lines which pierce through space in a purple florescent light.

TJ Volonis’ Selenoglyph, #2 is located in the Chinese Scholars Garden. The work is made out of what seems to be cut copper pipings. The elements are well-integrated in the gardens and structures — and seem part of the environs rather than a temporary addition.

The variation of the work — both in style and material — make the art exhibition a singular event. Blending rich history, interiors and exteriors, ornate and pastoral — the experience traversing the grounds can be both cerebral and calming.

In addition to the exhibition — which lasts throughout September 11 — VR is planning Fook! A Festival of Subversion curated by Jeff Goldberg and Darius James which will take place on Saturday, August 13.

For those unfamiliar with Snug Harbor, keep in mind there is a lot to see and experience; visual and performing arts, a horticulture program, a children’s museum, and a lot of beautiful grounds to walk on.

Eutopia allows Snug Harbor to be re-imagined. And Snug Harbor allows Eutopia to be re-envisioned.

The Exhibition Rundown: εὖτόπος, (Eutopia), a site-responsive installation by the Vanderbilt Republic.
When: Now through Sunday, September 11. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10am-5pm.
Where: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island.
Details: This large-scale, site-responsive exhibition connects artwork and installations by Sabrina Barrios, Sarah E. Brook, Charles Heppner, Carlton Scott Sturgill, TAXIPLASM, TJ Volonis, and Dale Williams to the storied past and bucolic present of Staten Island’s historic Snug Harbor — creating a space to present the energy and form of dreams made real. Curation, lighting & technical design by George Del Barrio.
How Much: $5 Adults, $4 Seniors/Students and free for kids 12 and under.