MARK DION
TRAVELS OF WILLIAM BARTRAM – RECONSIDERED
Julie Courtney, Guest Curator
June 20 – December 6, 2008
Bartram’s Garden
54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
In November 2007, Mark Dion artist, archeologist, flea marketer and naturalist, embarked on an expedition to northern Florida that retraced the journeys of William Bartram, the great 18th century artist, botanist, naturalist and explorer. Dion and his traveling companions collected things both natural and unnatural, kept detailed journals, and documented the journey with still and moving pictures. On view in the exhibition are examples of his findings in the historic home of John Bartram on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mark’s handwritten journals and hand-painted postcards, maps, water and seed samples, small plastic treasures, and numerous examples of alligator replicas will be shown among the hundreds of treasures that he mailed back. They will be displayed in cabinets of curiosity built especially to house the collections. Seen as the quintessential exploratory road trip: part Lewis and Clark, part Jack Kerouac, part Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and part Borat, Dion’s adventures have been well documented and can also be seen on the ever-changing Web site created for this project: www.markdionsbartramstravels.com
OPENING RECEPTION JUNE 20, 2008 • 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Limited viewing. RSVP by emailing rsvp@bartramsgarden.org with guest names, mailing address, phone and email. Confirmation will be sent to your email address with exhibition entrance time.
Exhibition hours Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm or by appointment.
Bartram’s Garden Location, 54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
For directions to Bartram’s Garden visit www.bartramsgarden.org or call 215-729-5281.
Free parking. Located on the #36 trolley route.
Bartram’s Garden, America’s oldest living botanic garden, was the home of famed naturalists and explorers John Bartram (1699-1777) and William Bartram (1739-1823). Located along the banks of the Schuylkill River, the National Historic Landmark is a celebrated destination for families, tourists, school groups, history buffs, and gardeners from around the world.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative with additional support from the Marketing Innovation Program, both programs of the Philadelphia Center for Arts and Heritage, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and administered by The University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Generous support has also been provided by Carole and Emilio Gravagno.
