In anticipation of bleak winter days hastened by nature’s transit from colorful blossoms and bountiful harvests to a monochromatic veil of darkness and decay, we as a culture are compelled, as if by instinct, to surround ourselves with grand displays of ornamental flourish. The language of repeating forms and rhythms interwoven with patterns of light and color exude abundance and hope, a comforting notion equating consumption with survival during the unreliably lean winter months of past generations. In our current materially-overloaded culture, ornamentation reflects multifaceted perceptions of social and spiritual survival complicated by universal holiday traditions of giving and getting. Contemporary conflicts between conservation and excess reveal an enduring collective nostalgia for ritual consumption in the coldest and darkest time of the year.

Ornamental Instincts features eleven new, site-specific installations by artists who have previously exhibited at Wave Hill. Returning to the rich architecture and nature of Wave Hill that served to inspire previous works the artists transform portions of Wave Hill House’s historical interior for the winter season, revealing the poignancy and persistence of ornamental notions in contemporary art practices. These artists are compelled through process towards a discourse with architectural spaces and ornamental surfaces to create new works that explore and expose traditional notions of perception and identity. Such a gathering of diverse practices and materials within the charged seasonal environment blurs established boundaries between artistic disciplines, multiple cultures, and personal and collective histories.
-Wennie Huang, Guest Curator

As an extension of their site-specific installations, Cristina DeGennaro, Tamiko Kawata, and Rachel Selekman adorn the doors of the Wave Hill House, Perkins Visitor’s Center, and Glyndor House with festive wreaths made of materials unique to each artist’s individual working process.

Public Programs

December 2, 2 pm, Exhibition Reception. Meet the artists of Ornamental Instincts and the curator who selected them, Wennie Huang, and learn about the artists’ approaches to brightening the indoors through nature for the holidays.

December 7, 10 am, Art Workshop: Holiday Sampler-Monotype Greeting Cards. Create unique holiday cards while exploring the painterly qualities of monotypes with printmaker Julio Valdez. $40 Member; $55 Non-member. Registration required; call 718.549.3200x305.

December 8 & 9, 1 - 4 pm, Art Workshop: Snow and Mountains/Nieve y montanas. Explore the use of Chinese brush and mixed media techniques to create winter landscapes with guidance from Mansheng Wang.

December 14, 10 am - 3pm, Art Workshop: Holiday Sampler – Collage. Explore a variety of collage techniques and materials to create unique visual narratives with Christina de Gennaro. Bring your own photographs, drawings, paintings, small “found” objects and other low-relief materials to include as well. You may bring your lunch or purchase it in the café. $40 member; $55 Non-member. Registration required; call 718.549.3200x305.

Photography: Ken Goebel

Support for the Visual Arts Program is provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Greenwall Foundation, Target, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts–a state agency. Sustaining support for Wave Hill is provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Arts at Wave Hill are sponsored by