Laitinen made this with a neuroscientist who records octopuses sleeping, and the footage of multiple bodies merging into one undulating painterly surface is unlike any nature film you have seen. Then there are glass vessels sitting in water tanks, made as objects an octopus might actually want, arranged by an 86-year-old ikebana master. If you like your science weird and immersive, go.
What to expect
A darkened gallery with multichannel 8K video scaled large enough that the camouflage patterns read as landscape rather than animal. In the middle, lit water tanks hold hand-blown glass forms. The artist intends the work to be felt physically, so give it a full cycle rather than a passing glance.
Good to know
- Nearest trains: F or G to Smith-9th St, then the B61 bus to King Street
- The NYC Ferry South Brooklyn route drops you at Red Hook/Atlantic Basin
- The gallery is dark; give your eyes a minute when you walk in
- Fully ADA accessible with an elevator serving all three floors
- Great for older kids fascinated by ocean life; the room is quiet, not loud
- Pair it with the other two exhibitions running in the same building
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Common questions
Who made the video footage?
Laitinen worked with neuroscientist Sam Reiter of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, combining original footage with OIST recordings of octopus sleep.
What are the glass pieces?
Blown-glass tubular sculptures in water tanks, conceived as speculative proposals for octopuses and arranged by a Japanese ikebana master.
Is there an admission charge?
No, exhibitions at Pioneer Works are free.
More this weekend
