Moral Imagination
Two-person exhibit in Gallery 1, by Ellen Rosenberg & aaron Kalinay
Exhibition Runs:February 9th - March 2nd
About the exhibition:
The chaos of the last two years has elicited a change in how we as individuals view the world, and how we translate it through art. Through their exhibt Moral Imagination, artists Ellen Rosenberg and Aaron Kalinay share their individual perspectives, and show the audience how two aesthetics and art forms can work together in emphasizing the same sentiment: a hope for the future. Moral imagination explores the complexity of individuality by inviting the viewer to take note of the ways in which two artists can comprehend and manage the same sensory experience differently.
For painter Aaron Kalinay, Moral Imagination represents his struggle and desire for calm that arose from the Isolation endured over the last two years. “Isolation has created a contemplative space to realize what I value and find meaningful. Life exists in all sizes and forms. Small pleasures and large tragedies. The mercurial world has created an unease and anxiety that could only be expressed in an emotional and spontaneous creative manner. People, including myself, were quickly thrust from trying to be calm, collected, and Zen as we quarantine isolated at home into a state of fury and passion as awareness of longstanding injustice and pain was thrust into our lives.” – Aaron.
Photographer, Ellen Rosenberg, felt the gravity of the pandemic most when visiting her hometown, New Orleans. “We will rise again, New Orleans will rise again, even better than before. Through these portraits, I am looking to celebrate a small part of the traditions that keep us moving forward. I hope that this work will bring a smile to your face and light your heart, allowing us to remember that as our ancestors did before us, we will get through this together, and rise again even better. With Gratitude and light” – Ellen Rosenberg.
Moral Imagination will be on view in Gallery1 beginning February 9th, and will be available as a video walkthrough shortly after. Join us at the gallery on February 10th for a First Look at the exhibition from 12-7pm.
About the Artists:
Aaron Kalinay: I grew up in a small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania and have always been interested in the world and far away places and people. As a child and to this day I love the process of problem solving, constructing, and bringing a physical object to life out of an idea. I like learning and experiencing a wide array of things. This ultimately led to me becoming an art teacher. Although it wasn’t until college that I become so enthralled with art specifically. The passion of people in the art world really inspired me and the the power for art to be what you make of it enabled me to explore my many different interests.
The straightforward and simple joy that my students exhibit in art making is a true inspiration to me. Also the work and opinions outside of the “art world”. These perspectives as well as travel and exploration of new things often reinvigorate my work. I love dreamy atmospheres, moody portraits, and beautiful objects of an abstract vein. The beauty and empowerment of art making and experiencing is something I can not imagine living without.
Ellen Rosenberg currently divides her time between Philadelphia and New Orleans. Her work has been shown in many juried shows, as well as invitational and solo exhibitions. Her work is also included in Leslie Lohman Museum collection, Brooklyn NY as well as William Way, Phila PA. She has been juried into the National Association of Women Artists and is currently completing her certificate in the Contemporary Practices Certification Program at the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center. Several years ago, Ellen took up the study of Yoga, mindfulness meditation and the study of Buddhism. These spiritual studies have shaped how Ellen lives her life, interacts with her surroundings and most importantly how she photographs her subjects.