Breathing Space for the Hudson: Charting the Biodiversity and Pollutants of the Hudson River

2002/03

This project involved aquatic biodiversity public surveys of the Hudson River in proximity to pollution sources. This work culminated with an installation that attempted to portray Hudson River biological diversity and the effects of pollution. Installed in 2003 at WaveHill’s Glyndor Gallery (Bronx, NY), the exhibition contained three inter-related components:

Eco-Displacements
2003
Each sculpture represented a different salinity gradient point of the river (fresh, estuary and marine) and contained numerous species collected at those locations.

Imaging Biodiversity
2001/03
Five large-scale high-resolution scanner photographs portrayed uncommon underwater creatures native to the river. Two of the specimens had been “cleared and stained” prior to imaging. This biological procedure enabled viewers to see the abstract and intricate skeletal structure of the specimens.

Hudson River Pollution Maps
2002/03
This interactive component allowed viewers to research their local polluters via a searchable Environmental Protection Agency database. Four suspended maps, which identified varied sources of pollution, from the New York Harbor to Troy. To create the maps, information was compiled from the federal EPA’s Enviromapper database and after combined with topographical data from the United States Geological Survey.

The title for this work was in homage to Breathing Space for the Sava River (1989/90) by Helen Mayer and Newton Harrison.

Primary scientific collaborators:
Hong Suk Michael Oh, La Guardia College (USA)
Stanley K. Sessions, Hartwick College (USA)
Peter R. Warny, New York State Museum (USA)

Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet. Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution map

Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet. Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet.

Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet.

Room # 1 with Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquariums, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet.

Room #2 with Marine Aquarium, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 20 x 14 x 10 feet.

Room #2 with Marine Aquarium, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 20 x 14 x 10 feet.

Room #2 with Marine Aquarium, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 20 x 14 x 10 feet.

Room #2 with Marine Aquarium, Hudson River pollution maps and digital C-prints mounted on Plexiglas. Room size approximately 20 x 14 x 10 feet.

Room # 1 with Brackish Water Aquarium and computer with interactive Hudson River pollution database. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet.

Room # 1 with Brackish Water Aquarium and computer with interactive Hudson River pollution database. Room size approximately 27 x 17 x 10 feet.

Hudson River Pollution Map: Beacon to Croton-on-Hudson. 2001-2003. Unique off-set print on velum. 36 x 44 in.

Hudson River Pollution Map: Beacon to Croton-on-Hudson. 2001-2003. Unique off-set print on velum. 36 x 44 in.

DETAIL of ‘Water Discharge’ site from Hudson River Pollution Map: Croton-on-Hudson to New York City. 2001-2003. Unique off-set print on velum.

DETAIL of ‘Water Discharge’ site from Hudson River Pollution Map: Croton-on-Hudson to New York City. 2001-2003. Unique off-set print on velum.

Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 18 x 60 in.

Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 18 x 60 in.

Horsehair worm, Gordius species. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. 35 x 31 in.

Horsehair worm, Gordius species. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. 35 x 31 in.

Cleared and Stained Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 13 x 40 in.

Cleared and Stained Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 13 x 40 in.

Striped killifish, Fundulus majalis. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. 10.5 x 24 in.

Striped killifish, Fundulus majalis. 2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. 10.5 x 24 in.

Cleared and Stained Clearnose skate, Raja eglanteria. 2002-2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 60 x 48 in.

Cleared and Stained Clearnose skate, Raja eglanteria. 2002-2003. Unique digital C-print mounted on plexiglas. In scientific collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. 60 x 48 in.