Irene Kopelman

Subtle Drawings

What effect do changes in light and temperature have on the plankton population in the sea? And what exactly do the shapes and patterns of plankton tell us? Argentinian artist Irene Kopelman (Córdoba, AR, 1974) is fascinated by these microscopic marine organisms that form the basis of the entire marine food chain. With a sensitive hand, Kopelman captures what she sees through the microscope: plankton in countless variations, constantly in motion. The combination of scientific research and art results in surprisingly subtle drawings that simultaneously make visible the circumstances of our time – climate change, ecosystem disruption. In her solo exhibition, “Irene Kopelman – A Tiny World and Countless Compositions in It,” at Museum Kranenburgh, the artist presents a series of drawings and glass sculptures she created during her research at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) on Texel. NIOZ
Irene Kopelman first came into contact with NIOZ through researcher Marcel Wernand during her residency at the Pumping Station in Den Helder (2016). This residency led, among other things, to the exhibition Indexing Water at the Kunsthalle Lisbon (2018), which Kopelman’s current project is a continuation of. Starting in April 2019, she spent a month at NIOZ, researching the growth and movement of plankton and the impact of climate change on them.

Plankton and Abstract Painting

Kopelman records her observations in drawings that, together, depict the cycle of a year. Time plays a significant role in this, as plankton do not survive long and species vary daily. Furthermore, the organisms under the microscope are constantly moving. Kopelman sees these factors not as limitations, but rather as inspiring components in the creation of her art. A knowledge of and love for the history of painting is evident in all her drawn work. Her plankton drawings evoke associations with abstract painting from the early twentieth century.

Irene Kopelman

Irene Kopelman lives and works in Amsterdam. Over the past twenty years, she has traveled to the volcanic islands of Hawaii and the Peruvian rainforest, among other places, to study landscapes and ecosystems. The result of her investigative approach and visits to scientific laboratories is a diverse oeuvre of paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, and publications. Starting in February 2020, she will be working on a year-long project at the Université Côte d’Azur in Nice.