STEPHEN SACCO
Staff Writer
Alberto Rey’s “The Extinct Bird Project” will be featured this fall at The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) in Dunkirk.
The project was inspired by Roger Peterson aka “the artist” who left a legacy on environmentalist art, most famously known for his field guide. The Artist (by which he would call himself) created books, films and paintings that illustrated his research and insights of wildlife. He wanted to inspire future generations and artists, like Rey, to pursue researching nature.
Jane Johnson is the Director of Exhibits at RTPI and helps showcase the artwork.
“This exhibit was so important because . . . I think visitors are sometimes surprised by this. They see dead birds as oil paintings, but it’s a lot more than that. I think that what Alberto wanted to get . . . across [was] sadness [because] that’s what he felt,” she said.
Rey has taught at Fredonia since 1989 and is in charge of the curriculum for the school’s drawing and painting program.
For over 30 years, Rey’s artwork has always gravitated towards environmentalist realism. He talked about his childhood and going outdoors fishing and discovering the depths of the wilderness with his friends.
Rey’s office even embodies his craft.
The studio itself was a separate entity from his house. It was a dry room that smelled like the wilderness that was present in most of Rey’s work.
Many books and research papers were scattered everywhere. There was a sense of organizational chaos that helped the studio perform at optimal levels.
Rey said, “I envision art as a way to do several things; one is to reflect on what’s happening in contemporary society as a way of making science and complicated issues accessible. I think, often times, that the science and issues are so complicated that people get overwhelmed and I think art is a way of using aesthetics to seduce the viewer.”
Rey speaks about his research and correlation with the artwork in his new published book, “Extinct Bird Exhibition.”
The 208 page full-colored book is a collaboration between Rey and Jason Dilworth that examines practices, politics surrounding endangered species and cause for extinction.
Dilworth, a graphic design professor, shared what it’s like to collaborate and what made this project different from the past ones he has worked on.
“It was also a rather difficult subject to address. The species painted in this project are gone. I feel that should make you feel uncomfortable,” he said. “As I was working on the project, I found myself having to take brakes to find hope in current conservation efforts. You can say it was probably the most metal project that I have ever undertaken.”
For the most part “The Extinct Bird Project” is bringing awareness to the pollution and extinction of wildlife all over the world. Concerning the aesthetic of the exhibit there is a unique sadness which people should experience. Take a break from this technological life and step into nature at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
This exhibit will be on display until Dec. 14.
For more information about dates and times of the exhibit and special events, please visit RTPI.org.