“The Ark” in an era of ecological reckoning
In summer 2026, the power plant “Batcave” opened a group exhibition The Ark curated by renowned painter Eric Fischl alongside Powerhouse Arts President Eric Shiner. Bringing together roughly 90 animal sculptures by a multigenerational line-up of international artists. The exhibition uses the ancient narrative of the Great Flood as a mirror for modern ecological and cultural turmoil.
The concept behind The Ark draws directly from the myth of the Deluge, an archetypal narrative found across diverse world traditions where catastrophic waters sweep away the old world to test human stewardship and resilience. Yet rather than adopting a purely apocalyptic or alarmist tone, the exhibition framing focuses on empathy, kinship, and survival. Co-curator Eric Fischl notes that animal sculpture offers a unique vehicle for exploring profound existential truths. Animal sculpture also captures raw instinct and sublime wonder through physical form. By placing non-human creatures at the center of the narrative, the exhibition encourages viewers to rethink their place within the broader web of life.
From Historic Whaling Port to Post-Industrial Sanctuary
The journey of The Ark mirrors its thematic concern with changing environments. An earlier, smaller iteration of the show debuted at The Church in Sag Harbor, Long Island. A historic coastal town deeply tied to the 19th-century whaling industry. In that seaside context, the sculptures called to mind maritime history and marine life under threat.
When relocated and expanded for Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn, the narrative shifted dramatically toward urban ecology and environmental remediation. Displaying ninety animal figures inside a rehabilitated power plant adjacent to heavily polluted urban waters creates a poignant visual tension. The physical site itself acts as a metaphor: an industrial relic turned creative sanctuary, witnessing the slow process of ecological recovery alongside the artistic preservation of animal life.
Masterpieces of Instinct and Form
The roster of participating artists spans decades and stylistic movements, uniting legendary figures of contemporary art with bold emerging voices.
Pioneering Figures: Works by artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Kiki Smith, Bruce Nauman, Sarah Lucas, and Jim Dine showcase how animals have long served as psychological stand-ins for human vulnerability, angst, and desire.
Expanded Roster for Brooklyn: Newly added works by artists including Wangechi Mutu, Cannupa Hanska Luger, François-Xavier Lalanne, Nohemí Pérez, and Nari Ward introduce critical perspectives on Indigenous land sovereignty, post-colonial environments, and urban material reuse.
Craft and Material Labor: Because Powerhouse Arts functions primarily as a fabrication facility, the exhibition doubles as a tribute to artistic craftsmanship. Visitors encounter bronze beasts, woven totems, carved wood, and reassembled found materials, celebrating the tactile labor behind each creation.
By encouraging close physical encounters with these sculpted beasts, The Ark bridges the gap between artistic tradition and ecological activism. It asks visitors to consider what merits saving when tides rise. It is suggesting that compassion for vulnerable creatures may well be our most essential anchor in turbulent times.
