The curators of Chance Ecologies and artist Marisa Tesauro invite the public to join them in them in creative discussion about Chance Ecologies: Flushing River. This six-week-long artists residency is located at the Studio In The Park, adjacent to the Queens Museum.

Noon – Curator’s Open House
Join curators and artists-in-residence Catherine Grau and Nathan Kensinger at the Studio In The Park, to discuss Chance Ecologies work in Hunter’s Point South and along the Flushing River. During this studio open house,  vistors will be able to engage with the numerous artist-made publications, maps, and photos in the studio, read from the curator’s growing library of ecological and environmental books, see how research along the Flushing River is progressing, and join into an ongoing discussion about unique Chance Ecologies sites around New York City.  Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

2pm – Nature Repurposes Structure
Join artist Marisa Tesauro in a brainstorming workshop, imagining future ecologies for the ruined remnants of the Worlds Fair along the Flushing River. Much of the natural landscape here was reshaped by industry, architects, and artists in previous decades, leaving behind many unique structures, some of which have since been overtaken by the elements. Participants will meet at the Studio In The Park, before walking over to the remains of the New York State Pavilion, designed by Philip Johnson for the 1964-65 World’s Fair, to look at how nature has reclaimed parts of this evocative structure, including the Tent of Tomorrow and the iconic observation towers. A recent call for ideas may soon reshape the future of the pavilion, but Tesauro will lead a creative conversation on how to see nature’s role in repurposing these kinds of structures, instead of humans trying to impose structure onto nature. Participants will then return to the studio to share notes, create drawings, and imagine what the future of these structures along the river could be. All ages are welcome.