(August 2, 2021- Philadelphia) -- The Science Center’s Esther Klein Gallery is reopening for the first time since April, with Socius, a new solo exhibition by Philadelphia artist, Rebecca Rutstein. Rutstein recently completed a BioArt Residency designed in partnership between the Science Center and the biotech company Integral Molecular, where she spent three months working alongside laboratory scientists. The culmination of this residency is an exhibit of large and small-scale paintings and a multi-media installation.
Inspired by the Latin word for “bond” or “interaction” and deriving from societas, the derivative for “society,” Rutstein’s work is an exploration of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 virus both at the cellular micro level, and also at a macro level amongst the community.
Many of the works on view are inspired by microscopic observations of communities that living cells create, as well as cells fluorescing as they are infected with the virus using Integral Molecular's Reporter Virus Particle (RVP) technology. Using fluorescence, RVPs allow us to visualize human cells being infected upon interactions of viral spike proteins with receptors on the cell surface, and have been a tool for discovering protective antibodies that neutralize the virus. At the macro level, two paintings which track data of infections and deaths show racial inequities and disparities during the pandemic, and the contrasting effects on different minority communities.
Also on view is Rutstein’s immersive sculpture, light and sound installation. Sub Surficiem,
inspired by the artist’s observance of living cells through a
microscope, is a sculptural installation backlit with LED lights
programmed to simulate a video time-lapse of living cells fluorescing as
they become infected with SARS-CoV-2 using Integral Molecular’s RVP
technology. Confluence is the sound component to Sub Surficiem
and its macro counterpart. This five-minute piece is a sonification of
data that tracks COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in
Philadelphia, each set of data its own track layered into the
composition. The digital rendering of a full range of stringed
instruments was created in collaboration with Mexican composer Mauricio
Rodriguez, NEA fellow and Doctor of Musical Composition from Stanford
University. Philly-based musician, Frank Masciocchi (part of the
Integral Molecular team) also contributed interpretive guitar sounds
creating ambient dissonance within the piece.
Rebecca Rutstein's work
This immersive installation takes the viewer beyond the microscope lens while “listening” to the macrodata of the Philadelphia community, reflecting on the positive impact of vaccines yet acknowledging the uncertainty that remains.
Socius opens on August 5th with a reception and artist talk at the gallery by Rutstein herself. A closing reception with a live performance will be held on September 23rd.
The BioArt Residency is made possible through a grant from the Edna Andrade Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation.
About the Artist
Multidisciplinary
artist Rebecca Rutstein works at the intersection of art, science and
technology. For over twenty years she has created painting, sculpture,
interactive installation and public art inspired by geology,
microbiology and marine science, and has joined scientists on several
expeditions exploring the deep sea. Rutstein is passionate about
creating visual and immersive experiences that connect the viewer with
hidden environments, deepening their connection with the natural world.
Her collaborations have been funded by the National Science Foundation,
National Academies of Science / Keck Futures Initiative, Ocean
Exploration Trust, Schmidt Ocean Institute and the Edna Andrade Fund of
the Philadelphia Foundation. She has received a Pew Fellowship in the
Arts, Independence Foundation Fellowship, PA Council on the Arts grant,
is an MIT Ocean Discovery Fellow, and was recently named the Delta
Visiting Chair for Global Understanding at the University of Georgia.
Rutstein’s work can be found in the collections of the Philadelphia
Museum of Art, Georgia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine
Arts Museum, Yale University, University of New Mexico and the US
Department of State. She has been represented by Bridgette Mayer Gallery
in Philadelphia since 2001.
About the Science Center
Established
in 1963, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit that
commercializes promising technology, cultivates talent, and convenes
people to inspire action. With partnerships across top academic and
research institutions, industry, and healthcare systems, the Science
Center is helping life-saving technologies transition from bench to
bedside and nurturing a workforce that supports a 21st century economy.
For more information, visit sciencecenter.org and follow
@UCScienceCenter.
About the Esther Klein Gallery
The
Esther Klein Gallery (EKG), which opened in 1977, uses the creative arts
as a platform to explore relationships between art, science and
technology. EKG seeks to positively impact the cultural life of both its
immediate neighborhood of West Philadelphia and the broader
Philadelphia community. EKG programming is designed to explore the range
of art, science and technology exhibitions, and includes gallery talks,
panel discussions, and education programs. For more information, visit sciencecenter.org/programs/art/esther-klein-gallery
About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular
is the industry leader in discovering and characterizing therapeutic
antibodies against membrane proteins, an important group of drug targets
found on the surfaces of cells and viruses. Integral Molecular’s
technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of
over 400 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new
therapies for cancer, diabetes, auto-immune disorders and viral threats
such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.
