ADRIEN SEGAL, “SEA ICE / ALBEDO,” 2017, CAST GLASS, PLASTER BASE, 14.5 X 8.75 X 1.25 INCHES | PHOTOS BY ADRIEN SEGAL

You could dig through stacks of scientific reports to learn about arctic sea ice melting and how albedo — the measure of how much of the sun’s energy is reflected off of surfaces — is connected to climate change.

Or, you could be transported to the coldest oceans by immersing yourself in Adrien Segal’s “Sea Ice / Albedo,” a series of vibrant blue glass sculptures that map recent changes in ice patterns. To craft the work, Segal translated photographs taken of sea ice in the Arctic over time into “abstract water” made of glass — with ocean blue hues that pull audiences in just as the sea pulls energy from the sun.

ADRIEN SEGAL, “MOLALLA RIVER MEANDER,” 2013, CARVED PLYWOOD, 15 X 46 X 11 INCHES

Contemporary Craft’s newest exhibit, “Climate Awakening: Crafting a Sustainable Future,” features work by Segal and three other artists who have transformed the analytics and facts of science into imaginative, innovative art pieces.

“Art is a really wonderful medium to take all of that information that science is bringing us and turn it into something that becomes tangible, accessible,” Segal says.

For more than 50 years, Contemporary Craft has honored the history of craft — which includes artforms often defined as skilled trades, such as weaving, carving, sewing and making pottery — while encouraging exploratory work that breaks traditional rules.

Associate Director Yu-San Cheng says that as one of only a few craft-specific organizations in the United States, Contemporary Craft is able to showcase a large range of perspectives and artforms and foster shows such as “Climate Awakening,” which is the fifth in a series of art experiences that explore modern societal challenges.

“At Contemporary Craft, we truly believe that art has a unique power to create conversation and really be a catalyst for social change,” Cheng says. “We feel we have a responsibility for opening up this platform between artists and the community.”

Each of the four artists involved in “Climate Awakening” take a different approach to the topic.

“CLIMATE AWAKENING: CRAFTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”
Through Jan. 13
Contemporary Craft: 5645 Butler St., Upper Lawrenceville
contemporarycraft.org

Susie Ganch, an artist based in Virginia who creates large-scale pieces from commonly discarded waste, and Meghan Price, a Canadian artist who makes low relief sculptures from repurposed textiles, present work that explores how consumerism and waste are not only linked to each other but also to the natural world. Segal and Courtney Mattison, both artists based in California, create pieces inspired by raw data released by scientific organizations.

COURTNEY MATTISON, “SURFACE TENSION 7,” 2020, GLAZED STONEWARE, PORCELAIN, 92 X 64 X 12.5 INCHES | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

Segal says she hopes her work “brings experience, reflection and new perspectives” to scientific reports and allows audiences to connect “heavy emotional responses” to the dangers of climate change.

In addition to “Sea Ice / Albedo,” Segal is exhibiting “Molalla River Meander,” a wood sculpture based on the changing path of a river in Oregon, and a new Pittsburgh-specific artwork that incorporates numerous objects and designs based on her research and field trips along the Allegheny River. To bring the global conversation into a local focus, she collected materials and water samples from the Allegheny and collaborated with local artists, such as Dan Brockett, who creates handwoven baskets from willow grown on his farm in Leechburg. She even used locally blown glass from artist Julian Maturino to hold and display the collected water.

COURTNEY MATTISON, “FOSSIL FUELS Ð OIL DRUM,” 2014-PRESENT, GLAZED STONEWARE, PORCELAIN, 24 X 24 X 21 INCHES

The “Climate Awakening” experience extends far past the gallery, Cheng says, with a variety of programs scheduled until the exhibit closes in January. In addition to guided tours, Contemporary Craft will host programs such as a community service day, a climate forum with multiple speaker sessions, a tour of model houses that follow green building certification rules and more — all with the help of a range of local, state and national partners.

Cheng says the diversity of programs offer something for every type of learner and patron, which she hopes will help locals see that climate change affects everyone in different ways — and that everyone has a different part to play in taking action.

“We certainly want to bring it back to the local community as we continue to see more extreme weather patterns that affect every single citizen in the area,” Cheng says. “What we are trying to do is not be 100% didactic and teach people what they should be doing. Instead we are looking for people to evoke their awakening, to really acknowledge that now is a critical moment.”