Susanne Kessler embroiders maps of the sea, then hangs them free of the wall so you can read both faces at once — two versions of the same chart, which is her point about how arbitrary data visualization can be. The show is anchored by Mappa Mundi, the 2018 embroidered world map that began her long engagement with the oceans. Free, quiet, and the most contemplative of A.I.R.'s three current shows.
What to expect
Textile works are suspended so you can walk around them, with thread traces standing in for shipping lanes and currents. Close looking pays off: the reverse of each embroidery carries knots and loose ends that quietly undo the authority of the front. The gallery is small and unhurried, so it suits a slow half hour.
Good to know
- Plymouth Street in DUMBO, near the F at York Street and the A/C at High Street
- Free admission with no booking
- Three A.I.R. exhibitions run concurrently in the same space
- Walk around the hanging works — the reverse side is part of the piece
- Open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons
- Level ground-floor entry
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Common questions
What is Mappa Mundi?
An embroidered world map Kessler made in 2018, which began her ongoing body of work about the oceans.
Why are the works hung away from the wall?
So both sides of each embroidery are visible, offering two versions of the same map at once.
Is admission free?
Yes, A.I.R. Gallery is free and open to the public.
