042110_LevinExhibittrue1334616740577webdznUniversity Relations, Press Release, Hofstra University Museum, Beth Levinthal, Emily Lowe Gallery, Mikael LevinThe exhibition “Settling Into Nature: La Bassée, A Contemporary Landscape in France Photographs by Mikael Levin” pairs the photographs of the rural French landscape by the internationally recognized artist Mikael Levin with excerpts from texts that influenced the artist in his work./Hofstra_Main_Site/Home/News/PressReleases/Archive/042110_LevinExhibitprplac1271878676921prplac1271878677093Press Release Sub TitleExhibition Depicts Environmental Photographs of French Landscape Paired With WritingsPress Release TitleHofstra University Museum Presents “Settling Into Nature: La Bassée, A Contemporary Landscape in France Photographs by Mikael Levin”Press Release Date2010/04/21Hofstra CategoriesMUSEUMLindsey CalabreseUniversity Relations 202 Hofstra Hall516-463-4687516-463-5146Lindsey.Calabrese@hofstra.edu //
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – The exhibition “Settling Into Nature: La Bassée, A Contemporary Landscape in France Photographs by Mikael Levin” pairs the photographs of the rural French landscape by the internationally recognized artist Mikael Levin  with excerpts from texts that influenced the artist in his work. These texts are meant to suggest a broader reading of the photographs, relating the specific to the general, the local to the global. Authors of the texts include William Cronon, Eric Hobsbawm, Henri Lefebvre, David Lowenthal, Carolyn Merchant, and George Simmel.

The exhibit is on view from May 4 through July 30, 2010 in the Hofstra University Museum’s Emily Lowe Gallery, south campus and is guest curated by Hofstra University Professor of Fine Arts and Art History, Dan Devine. An illustrated catalogue, Settling Into Nature: La Bassée, A Contemporary Landscape in France Photographs by Mikael Levin with an essay by Sophia Haltz, accompanies the exhibition.

“Mikael Levin captures the impact that the La Bassée canal has had on a small and fragile rural French community,” said Hofstra University Museum Executive Director Beth E. Levinthal. “His sharp photographic eye introduces us to the atmospheric beauty of the surrounding countryside as it mingles with the destructive evidence of the canal to the area’s ecosystems.”

The exhibition will open with a reception on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 5 p.m. in the Emily Lowe Gallery. Immediately preceding the reception the Museum offers the public program A Closer Look on May 4, 2010 at 4 p.m. in which the exhibition’s curator, Dan Devine, and the featured artist, Mikael Levine will discuss Levin’s works in the exhibition.

Hofstra University Museum gratefully acknowledges Astoria Federal Savings for their support in bringing this exhibition to the public. 

For more information on this exhibit and other programs offered by the Hofstra University Museum please visit www.hofstra.edu/museum

The Hofstra University Museum has been awarded the highest honor a museum can receive, continued accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Approximately less than 4 % of museums nationwide have earned this distinguished recognition. Accreditation certifies that the Hofstra University Museum operates according to professional standards, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law.

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