
Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection
Famed 19th Century Landscape Painter Frederic Church was an Early and Avid Collector of Photographs
HUDSON, NY – The Olana Partnership announced that the special exhibition, Terraforming: Olana’s Historic Photography Collection Unearthed, will open at Olana State Historic Site on May 14. The exhibition focuses on Olana’s remarkable trove of nearly 5,000 19th century photographic prints, collected by the artist Frederic Church between 1850 and 1900. Until now, this nationally significant and intact photography collection has been little-known and unseen by the public.
“The Olana Partnership is thrilled to bring Olana’s major collection of 19th century photography into public view and to partner with artist David Hartt to examine a theme that addresses the power of Church’s vision for Olana,” said Sean Sawyer, Washburn & Susan Oberwager President of The Olana Partnership.
In Terraforming, artist and guest curator David Hartt reflects on the ways in which human culture and activity shape the land, eroding the boundary between human construction and the natural world, just as Frederic Church did in creating the 250-acre earthwork that is Olana. Through Hartt’s selection of historic photographs from Olana’s vast collection, the exhibition also explores what this global photographic collection tells us about Church’s painting practice, travels, and ways of knowing and collecting the world.
An installation of 48 original photographs within Olana’s Sharp Family Gallery will include original and historically significant works by pioneering early photographers, including Eadweard Muybridge, William James Stillman, and Claude-Joseph Désiré Charnay. Throughout Frederic Church’s 250-acre designed landscape, visitors will discover 6 large-scale reproductions of historic photographs in locations chosen by David Hartt. The exhibition includes two new works by Hartt: a site-specific bronze sculpture to be installed outdoors in Olana’s historic fern garden, and a site-specific tapestry to be hung indoors in Olana’s main house.
“David Hartt’s curation of Frederic Church’s photography collection reveals Church’s apparent fascination the interactions of human and natural forces in the landscape globally, and how he captured this through his shaping of the land at Olana,” said Allegra Davis, Associate Curator with The Olana Partnership. “David’s new site-specific artworks explore one aspect of how Church sought to bring the world home to Olana through the creation of a fern garden inspired by the tropical landscape of Jamaica.”
Olana’s historic collection contains over 5,000 nineteenth-century photographs collected by Frederic Church and is a treasure trove of early photography. Church’s collection centers around nearly 2,000 travel photographs that span the continents and represent the full spectrum of his era’s new photographic technologies. This unique collection survives today as one of the largest intact photography collections assembled during the nineteenth century in the United States, yet aspects of this collection also remain mysterious. About half of the photographs are not yet attributed, and the majority have never been publicly exhibited.
David Hartt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. His work unpacks the social, cultural, and economic complexities of his various subjects and explores how historic ideas and ideals persist or transform over time. His solo exhibitions include The Histories at The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, Coloured Garden at The Glass House (currently on view), New Canaan, Connecticut and the group exhibition, Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. His work is also featured in the public collections of several museums including The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa and The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.
TERRAFORMING: Olana’s Historic Photography Collection Unearthed was curated by Artist David Harrt, Will Coleman, The Olana Partnership’s former Director of Collections & Exhibitions, and Allegra Davis, Associate Curator, The Olana Partnership, with support from Ida Brier, Archivist/Librarian, The Olana Partnership. The exhibition was organized in collaboration with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The exhibition opens on May 14 and will be on view through October 29, 2023. For tickets and additional information, visit OLANA.org/terraforming.
This exhibition has been made possible by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, support from the donors to The Olana Partnership’s Novak-Ferber Exhibitions Fund, and in-kind contributions by the NYS Bureau of Historic Sites, Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Support for the associated publication has been provided by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art. General support for The Olana Partnership’s programs is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
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About Olana and The Olana Partnership: Olana is the masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), the preeminent American artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his advanced ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservation. Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape with five miles of carriage roads and a Persian-inspired house at its summit embraces unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains and welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually. The landscape is open for guided touring, and reservations are highly recommended. The landscape is open daily 8 AM-sunset. Olana State Historic Site, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of the most visited sites in the state. The Olana Partnership is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit cooperative partner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at Olana State Historic Site.

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Events for 28th May

FINCH hudson Side Sale

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

On View: Refracted Wilderness: Katharine Dufault & Michael Wright

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Chromatic Scale by Michael Simpson

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

EAST OF BERLIN by Hannah Moscovitch

Queerly

Queer Figure Drawing
Events for 29th May

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Chromatic Scale by Michael Simpson
Events for 30th May

Qigong~TaiChi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

The Story of Japanese-American Internment During WW2
Events for 31st May

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection
Events for 1st June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Chromatic Scale by Michael Simpson

CLOSE READINGS IN A VIRTUAL SPACE with Christopher Soto: Free Virtual Poetry Workshop

Hudson Thursday Market

Family Pride Craft: Decorate a Western Hat!

EAST OF BERLIN by Hannah Moscovitch
Events for 2nd June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Openings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

Opening Reception: Columbia County Plein Air Artists

VISUAL ART EXHIBITION CURATED BY HILARY GREENE

THE NETHER

EAST OF BERLIN by Hannah Moscovitch

Open Mic with Loki
Events for 3rd June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Hudson Farmers’ Market – 26th Season!

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Big Truck Day at the Museum

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Pre-Pride Reception with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Mimosa Pride Reception at Circle 46 Gallery

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

Art + Environment Walk at Trails Day!

OutHudson Pride Parade

Poke-The-Bear Hudson 2023

Trixie’s Tea Dance at the Boat Club

RECESS by The Hudson Eye, Out Hudson Pride Edition: “Fire, Ice, Naughty, Nice”

Opening Reception for “Megacosm” by Joseph Stabilito at D’Arcy Simpson Art Works

Opening Reception: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

35th Annual Hospital Ball

LIMÓN DANCE COMPANY + AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE STUDIO COMPANY

Hudson Night Out

David Sytkowski and Pretty Lamé Cabaret meets classical!

THE NETHER

EAST OF BERLIN by Hannah Moscovitch
Events for 4th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

American Shad Show and Tell

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Drag Brunch

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

Iced Tea

THE NETHER

EAST OF BERLIN by Hannah Moscovitch

Queerly

LIMÓN DANCE COMPANY + AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE STUDIO COMPANY
Events for 5th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

In the Slammer
Events for 6th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Qigong~TaiChi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Hudson Area Library Anime Club
Events for 7th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

JOHN ASHBERY: A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY—a conversation with Jess Cotton WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, NOON – Free on Zoom A conversation with Jess Cotton, author of the new biography John Ashbery (Critical Lives)
Events for 8th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

CLOSE READINGS IN A VIRTUAL SPACE: with Gillian Conoley -Free online poetry workshop and reading

Hudson Thursday Market

Summer Movement & Music Storytimes

Artist’s Reception – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

June Gathering in support of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood

Queer Ass Film Club: La Cage Aux Folles
Events for 9th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Friday, June 9th, 5:30–7pm— Free live music and poetry: Edwin Torres & NewBorn Trio (Katie Down, Miguel Frasconi, Jeffrey Lependorf)

ETHEL

THE NETHER

Open Mic with Loki
Events for 10th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Hudson Farmers’ Market – 26th Season!

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Carving Words: Woodcuts by Antonio Frasconi

CARVING WORDS: Woodcuts by Antonio Frasconi April–June 2023, Second and Fourth Saturdays of Each Month, 11am–5pm, at Flow Chart Space, 348 Warren Street, Hudson, NY

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

Clermont Fire Department – Steak BBQ

CURTIS J. STEWART + ETHEL

(Freak) Flag Day

THE NETHER

Grammy-Nominated Blues Artist Guy Davis Concert
Events for 11th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

STORING AND SAVING: THE FOUNDATION OF GREAT COOKING WITH TAMAR ADLER

THE NETHER

TRISHA BROWN DANCE COMPANY, NEW JERSEY BALLET + RODERICK GEORGE | KNONAME ARTIST

Queerly
Events for 12th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito
Events for 13th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Qigong~TaiChi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Hudson Area Library Anime Club
Events for 14th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

ROSENDALE THEATRE’S MUSIC FAN SERIES CELEBRATES LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH BY SCREENING CLASSIC 1995 CONCERT FILM
Events for 15th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Hudson Thursday Market

Summer Movement & Music Storytimes

The Underpants: A full-length comedic play by Steve Martin
Events for 16th June

Amy G premieres Revenge of the Bond Girls

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Helen Gillet + Dust Bowl Faeries at Opus40, Saugerties

MOVE ME SERIES PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH HUDSY.TV

THE NETHER

The Underpants: A full-length comedic play by Steve Martin

Open Mic with Loki

The No Ring Circus Presents, FIREWATER: Living Hell!
Events for 17th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Hudson Farmers’ Market – 26th Season!

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Boat Tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse departing from Hudson

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Carving Words: Woodcuts by Antonio Frasconi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Boat Tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse departing from Athens

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Arnie Zimmerman Studio Summer Sale: Small Sculptures, Curiosities and Special Treasures

Boat Tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse departing from Athens

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

GUIDED TOUR WITH WILD GATHER

WE, AN EVENING-LENGTH COLLABORATION BETWEEN EMILY COATES + EMMANUÈLE PHUON

WE, AN EVENING-LENGTH COLLABORATION BETWEEN EMILY COATES + EMMANUÈLE PHUON

THE NETHER

The Underpants: A full-length comedic play by Steve Martin
Events for 18th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Two Folk Artists on Exhibit at Art on Main Gallery

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

Pooches Out of Puerto Rico (POOPR) Dog Adoption Day and Fundraiser

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

Arnie Zimmerman Studio Summer Sale: Small Sculptures, Curiosities and Special Treasures

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

THE NETHER

The Underpants: A full-length comedic play by Steve Martin

WE, AN EVENING-LENGTH COLLABORATION BETWEEN EMILY COATES + EMMANUÈLE PHUON

Queerly

WE, AN EVENING-LENGTH COLLABORATION BETWEEN EMILY COATES + EMMANUÈLE PHUON
Events for 19th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

In the Slammer
Events for 20th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Qigong~TaiChi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

The Sound of Music

Hudson Area Library Anime Club
Events for 21st June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Storytime & Activity: Make a Fizzy Bin!
Events for 22nd June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

The Boundless Essay

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

42ND STREET

Hudson Thursday Market

Summer Movement & Music Storytimes

42ND STREET
Events for 23rd June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

42ND STREET

2023 Mac-Haydn Theatre Gala

Illinois

Open Mic with Loki
Events for 24th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Hudson Farmers’ Market – 26th Season!

Spencertown Academy’s Hidden Gardens Tour and Outdoor Market

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

CARVING WORDS: Woodcuts by Antonio Frasconi April–June 2023, Second and Fourth Saturdays of Each Month, 11am–5pm, at Flow Chart Space, 348 Warren Street, Hudson, NY

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

42ND STREET

Illinois
Events for 25th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Nina Lipkowitz: “Battle Fatigue”

“Garden of Earth” Art Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

42ND STREET

Illinois

Queerly

42ND STREET
Events for 26th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Infant Toddler Playgroup and Parent Support

Banned Books Book Club

Nonfiction Book Group at Hudson Area Library
Events for 27th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Qigong~TaiChi

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

Female Trouble: Pride Month screening hosted by Trixie Starr & Mark Allen
Events for 28th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

42ND STREET

June Meeting of HAL Book Group
Events for 29th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

The Boundless Essay

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

42ND STREET

Hudson Thursday Market

Summer Movement & Music Storytimes

Local History Talk: The Role of Women in Leisler’s Rebellion
Events for 30th June

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

Showings: Who We Be! A Celebration of Black Life in Columbia County Through the Cosmic Womb

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

Spencertown Academy Presents “Romeo & Juliet” by Rooted Voyageurs

Illinois

42ND STREET

Open Mic with Loki
Events for 1st July

Art Exhibition – David L. Bullis: “Looking Up”

Hudson Farmers’ Market – 26th Season!

Contemporary Artist David Hartt Explores Olana’s Historic Photography Collection

On View: Diametric Abstraction Ted Dixon and Susan Lisbin

D’Arcy Simpson Art Works Presents: Megacosm by Joseph Stabilito

On View: Spencertown Academy “Curator as Artist III” Exhibit

42ND STREET

Opening Reception: Spencertown Academy “Curator as Artist III” Exhibit

Illinois
