Belger Arts is pleased to present Materialize: Visualizing Climate Change, an exhibition opening Friday, February 7 at the Belger Crane Yard Gallery (2011 Tracy Avenue, KCMO).

Materialize: Visualizing Climate Change brings together the work of six contemporary artists who explore multiple aspects of one of the world’s most challenging topics.

The artists’ innovative use of materials and digital processes invite viewers to examine the impact of climate change on natural and human-made systems. Caroline Landau utilizes clear glass to memorialize a Bristlecone pine tree, a species threatened by climate change. Marie McInerney’s laser-etched graphite drawings illustrate data related to habitat disturbances such as landslides and fires. Lauren Shapiro combines ceramics and technology to depict fragile and endangered coral ecosystems. Steve Gurysh employs 3D scanning to recreate ash trees devastated by emerald ash borers. Tali Weinberg incorporates images of fire-scarred trees into weavings using petrochemical-derived materials. Anne Yoncha sonifies and materializes soil data from post-extraction peatlands in her installation titled, Peat Quilt 1.

Each artist asks viewers to consider how digital technologies transform disembodied data into experiences that engage our senses and emotions. In doing so, they raise critical questions to inspire change and cultivate environmental stewardship.