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VAC's latest
exhibit features work of National Geographic photographer
By Mary Ann Price
Citizen Staff
Choosing to
exhibit the work of National Geographic Magazine underwater
photographer Brian Skerry at the Massachusetts Audubon Visual
Arts Center (VAC) was an easy decision for director Amy
Montague. Skerry lives in Massachusetts and gave a presentation,
which Montague attended, on the effect that commercial fishing
has on the ocean as well as on what happens to fish that are
inadvertently caught in nets.
“It was a
life changing experience for me,” Montague said. “He had photos
of the ocean floor that had been scoured of the bycatch that
they throw away. I was really, really moved by that.”
Ocean Wild
opens Sunday, May 18 at the VAC on Washington Street with a
reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Skerry will speak at 3 p.m.
Skerry’s
collection includes photos of whales, sharks, squid, seals and
elusive animals such as bluefish tuna, yellowfin tuna and
billfish. The three dozen pictures provide glimpses of
ecosystems ranging from tropical coral reefs to the world
beneath Arctic ice.
Skerry has
lived at the bottom of the sea, spent months aboard fishing
boats and traveled in snowmobiles, canoes and helicopters to get
the pictures he wants. National Geographic has published nine of
his stories. Two more are scheduled for publication this year.
His work has also been featured in People, Sports Illustrated,
US News and World Report and Esquire.
A photo that
Skerry took of a harp seal on ice was part of a VAC exhibition
of the works of the International League of Conservation
Photographers.
“Images can
be a powerful force to persuade people of the importance of
conservation,” Montague said. “They really are works of art.
They’re compelling conservation statements.”
Ocean Wild
is sponsored by the New England Aquarium and Lindblad
Expeditions. Lindblad donated a trip for two on one of its ships
traveling from Maine to New York City to the Visual Arts
Center’s fundraiser for the live auction. George Comeau was the
highest bidder on the trip.
The New
England Aquarium is helping to advertise the exhibit through the
use of rack cards. Thousands of information cards describing
Ocean Wild will be placed in the racks at the entrance to the
Aquarium. The exhibit will also be featured in the July issue of
its member magazine. Ocean Wild marks a change for the VAC.
“People ask us all the time if we’re going to increase our
hours,” Montague said.
The exhibit
will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-5 p.m., May 18 to
September 21. The staff at the Visual Arts Center is looking for
volunteers to help with the new schedule. For more information,
call 781.821.8853.
May 15, 2008
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