ArtPlantae Today

The Theodore Payne Arts Council invites you to
Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves!

Contemporary artist
Jessica Rath is fascinated with buzz pollination, a co-adaptation between certain bees and specific angiosperms which require sonication, or vibratory resonance to release pollen from their anthers.

Over evolutionary time, the shape of these anthers has become a closed tube-like vessel with a limited opening pore or slit. These incredible shapes and the vibrations that open them are the subject of Rath’s show in the Theodore Payne Gallery.

Consulting with bee specialist Dr. Anne Leonard from University of Nevada, Reno, and buzz pollination specialist Dr. Stephen Buchmann from University of Arizona, Tucson, Rath has immersed herself in the scientific resonances around this fascinating phenomenon.

Some 5% to 6% of all the world’s angiosperms require buzz pollination, including commercial greenhouse tomatoes and some native manzanitas.

Jessica’s exhibition will include wax sculptures for cast bronze based on bee anthers, a series of watercolors, and a “buzz” sound work alluding to buzz pollination tonal values created in collaboration with experimental music composer Robert Hoehn.

Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves opens on Saturday, March 29, 2014 and will be on view through June 14, 2014. You are invited to attend the opening reception from 2:00 – 4:30 pm. An artist talk will be begin at 3 PM.

Directions to Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, CA

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Related
Educators!

Celebrate Pollinator Week early with a visit to Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves.

Pollinator Week 2014 is scheduled for June 16-22, 2014. Get resources for the classroom or your summer program on the Education page at Pollinator Partnership.