Philadelphia Contemporary

Hear from artists, scientists, historians for perspectives on the Freshwater exhibition.In the 19th century the pearl button industry obliterated freshwater mussel populations in the midwest, while in the northeast industrial pollution poisoned the Delaware River for a generation. Drawing on material histories and conservation science, Freshwater is a reflection on the compounding effects of industrial waste and overconsumption. This talk takes a look at how industrial waste and cultural behaviors such as overconsumption endanger the health of the Delaware River watershed. Speakers include Paul Callomon, Collection Manager at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and Billy Dufala, co-founder

Jean Shin speaks to her artistic practice and inspiration and the complex relationship to our surroundings conceptualized in Freshwater.About the artist:Known for her large-scale installations and public sculptures, artist Jean Shin transforms accumulations of discarded objects into powerful monuments that interrogate our complex relationship between material consumption, collective identity and community engagement. Often working cooperatively within a community or region, Shin amasses vast collections of an everyday object or material—Mountain Dew soda bottles, mobile phones, 35mm slides—while researching its history of use, circulation and environmental impact. Distinguished by this labor-intensive and participatory process, Shin’s poetic yet epic creations become catalysts

Efforts to restore mussel beds and the health of the Delaware River watershed with scientists, educators and culture workersThis talk shares and celebrates efforts to restore mussel beds and the health of the Delaware River watershed with scientists, educators and culture workers guiding this work in the city of Philadelphia. This event features a talk from 6-7pm followed by a live biology demonstration.Speakers include: Lance Butler, Senior Scientist-Office of Watersheds Planning & Research Division Philadelphia Water Department, Danielle Kreeger, Ph.D. Senior Science Director for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), Maitreyi Roy, Executive Director, Bartram’s Garden and Bria Wimberly,