© Patte Loper

Drawing from John Ruskin’s notions of the “Pathetic Fallacy” in which the outward manifestation of the landscape mirrors inner emotional states, Patte Loper’s new body of work employs Antarctica—hostile, empty, beautiful—as a fictional site of historical, scientific and emotional speculation. The images are inspired by accounts of early 20th century explorers and their attempts to map uncharted lands with woefully inadequate knowledge and equipment in order to fulfill a sense of manifest destiny—all the while maintaining impeccable manners and civility in the face of hopeless brutality.

Patte Loper “A Peculiar Brightness in the Sky”
Date: June 19th – July 31st, 2008
Open: 11:00 – 17:30 (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
Place: Platform Gallery (TK Arts Complex)
Address: 114 Third Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: 206　323　2808
http://www.platformgallery.com