While Henry David Thoreau’s (1817-1864) writings about Nature seem a likely subject for Wave Hill to explore, it is challenging to locate him within the highly cultivated gardens and Georgian Revival Glyndor House. It seems that he would be more interested in exploring Riverdale Park, which runs between the Metro-North train tracks, Palisade Avenue and the estate properties, or perhaps the woods of Van Cortlandt Park. Eleven artists have summoned Thoreau’s ideas, and often contradictory notions, to our doorstep, informed by fresh readings of Walden, “Civil Disobedience,” other essays, speeches and journal entries. Thoreau’s declarations concerning the relationship of the individual to society, his habitual activities and astute observations of nature, have particular resonance in relation to the strife and impending climate change that face the world today. His spirit of invention and powers of observation are celebrated here. Many of the artworks were created specifically for this exhibition.

Thoreau Reconsidered is the second of three exhibitions that explore 19th-century American writing about nature through the lens of contemporary art. Emily Dickinson Rendered included works by 10 artists this spring. Poe and Twain Projects opens on September 8 as Simon Leung and Amy Yoes respond to Edgar Allan Poe, and Allison Smith's project is inspired by Mark Twain.

We extend our grateful appreciation to each artist for (re)considering the writings of Henry David Thoreau in relationship to Wave Hill, and to lenders to the exhibition: Jeff Bailey Gallery, New York, NY; Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY; Mixed Greens, New York, NY; and Postmasters Gallery, New York, NY.

Public Programs
June 17, 9:30am–12:30pm, Drawing from the Landscape Workshop with Dan Gottsegen. Children ages 8+ welcome.*

June 24, 1–4pm, Camera Obscura Workshop, Richard Torchia explains the principles of pinhole and lens-based projection as they relate to Thoreau's deep connection to nature. Participants make their own camera obscuras*.

June 30 & July 5, 2pm, Contemplative Corners and Small Wonders Walk, led by Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day.

June 30 & July 1, 1–4pm, Projection Magic Family Art Project, Make your own device to create images of light at home.

July 7, 8, 1–4pm, A World of Bottles Family Art Project, Ellen Driscoll shows how to use recycled materials to build a miniature landscape peopled with plastic puppets.

July 8, 2pm, An American Songbook Concert, Susan Narucki and Michael Boriskin perform Copland’s settings of Dickinson poems along with Edward McDowell's Woodland Sketches. $24/$21 Senior 65+ (includes admission to grounds), $15 Member. For tickets, call 718.549.3200 x385.

July 15, 2pm, Exhibition Tour with artists and Senior Curator Jennifer McGregor.

*Registration required $25/$20 Member;
call 718.549.3200 x305.

Support for the Visual Arts Program is provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Greenwall Foundation, the Hess & Helyn Kline Foundation, Target, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts–a state agency.

The Arts at Wave Hill are sponsored by