Seeing the Hudson: An Exhibition of Photographs and Paintings on the
Occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s Sail of Discovery

   September 17th - October 31st, 2009

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 17, 6-8 pm
Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, Noon-6 pm or by appointment

Alan Klotz Gallery, 511 West 25th Street, #701 New York, NY 10001
212.741.4764
[log in to unmask]         www.klotzgallery.com 

As part of the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s sail of
discovery,
we offer, Seeing the Hudson, a major exhibition of paintings and
photographs, which show the river over a period of more than 200
years,
from its source in the Adirondacks, to its mouth, 315 miles away in
Upper New York Bay. Our show begins with work by the 19th century
painters of the Hudson River School, arguably the first American art
movement, and continues through more contemporary painting and
photographs. The exhibition demonstrates the variety of faces that the
River presents. And, of course, the work we have selected reflects the
vision of the individual artists, who are constantly filtering
perception, and coping with the intrinsic characteristics of their
media
to determine what makes it into the frame, and how those images
appear.

In general, 19th century Hudson River School painters saw the River as
an almost holy, pristine, primeval landscape, where settlers (if
present
at all) lived in harmony with an all powerful “Nature“. 

Photographers (partially due to the nature of their medium) were more
interested in the real than the ideal.  To them, the profound effect
of
the “hand of man“ on the environment is what gave proof of man’s
dominion over Nature, and was itself a source of pride for a
developing
nation.  Of course, in more recent times, man’s impact on the
environment has engendered a more negative judgment.  Irony and severe
criticism have become part of the view as a spur to environmental
action
by those who love the River and want to protect, defend, and restore
it.
All these motivations find form in our exhibition.

The river is where the choices begin, but it is in the variety of
visions on display here where the truth about the Hudson as a place
and
as an idea ultimately emerges


Marilyn E. Douglas, NNI/NNP Coordinator
New Netherland Institute
Cultural Ed Center, Room 10D45
310 Madison Avenue
Albany NY 12230-0001
Phone 518.408.1212 (w) 
           Tues, Wed
            518.489.0418 (h)
Fax      518.473.0472
Mobile: 518.495.5993
Email: [log in to unmask]