Written By Alena Rodriguez & Phinya Li, Unionville Press
This Earthen Door, an exhibit inspired by the famous author Emily Dickinson, is absolutely awe-inspiring. Unbeknownst to many, in addition to being a writer, she was also a botanist; she held a grand adoration for plants, flowers, and all that nature brings. This exhibit was tailored specifically for the Brandywine River Museum, so it is entirely distinctive and solitary. Artists Amanda Marchand and Leah Sobsey have produced anthotypes, a photographic process requiring no camera, to clearly capture the true colors of Dickinson’s flower collection. They have truly brought an extremely creative and contemporary take on Dickinson’s pressed flower book. Join us as we tour this immersive nature exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum.
Phinya’s Experience
After exploring the marvelous exhibits on the previous floor, This Earthen Door instantly caught my eye due to its bright yet incredibly soothing colors. I was reminded of the paint color samples that I loved collecting and seeing as a child; it was just so nostalgic and brought me a great sense of comfort. The primary emotions I felt were marvel and excitement as I turned each corner of the exhibit and received the opportunity to witness such distinctive and dazzling shades. While observing the largest display with a variety of hues, I couldn’t help staring at each tile and felt a rush of various memories associated with each one. I felt as though I had been transported into a completely different universe filled with traces of the past and present. As Alena and I walked to the blue hue section, immense delight greeted me, as blue is one of my favorite colors. The prints here portrayed a completely different way of looking at the color blue than anything I’d ever seen before, and I adored it. It exuded a vibe that was both vintage and refreshing; it was exceptionally calming. Overall, to me, this exposition is one full of memories, tranquility, and bliss; it was wonderful to witness all that Mother Nature brings to us.
Alena’s Experience
Walking through This Earthen Door’s intricate flower patterns and conspicuous variety of hues was such an enlightening experience. In and of itself, the allure of rich color and ebb in gradience down the wall was certainly an eye-catcher, but to see Dickinson’s garden and reflections transformed into something so perceptually provocative yet simple and enchanting to the eye was definitely something I will not soon forget. I really enjoyed the piece displayed alongside Dickinson’s poem “To Make a Prairie” and was so surprised at how the colors somehow perfectly encapsulated the general aesthetic and mood of a prairie on their own. The hues themselves spoke volumes and told stories that so delicately honor and immortalize the legacy of Emily Dickinson while also touching the hearts of those with the pleasure of getting to see them.
Visiting This Earthen Door was an experience as interesting as it was inspiring. Marchand and Sobsey’s creative and unique revitalization of Dickinson’s work was something to be remembered for years to come. This collection was a powerful testament to the impact words and poetry can have on others and a memorable reflection of the humanity found in shared experience and emotion in the creative world. This exhibit will be on display at the Brandywine Museum of Art until September 7th.
