Sustainable Art: Kasmin Gallery's Hidden Beekeeping Oasis
Nestled in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Kasmin Gallery, renowned for its art exhibitions, has unveiled a unique and environmentally conscious endeavor: beekeeping. Since 2020, the gallery has transformed its rooftop sculpture garden into a buzzing haven for honeybees, fostering a thriving habitat for pollinators. This article delves into the gallery's secret beekeeping operation, exploring the intersection of art, nature, and sustainability.
1. Establishing a Bee-Friendly Habitat: In an effort to contribute to environmental sustainability, Kasmin Gallery initiated a beekeeping project by setting up three hives on its rooftop sculpture garden in 2020. The garden features native plants, including quaking aspens, New York asters, Northern bayberry, bristle-leaved sedge, and dwarf-tufted hair grass, creating an ideal habitat for honeybees. The space, now housing five hives, produces approximately 100 small jars of honey annually, complete with custom labels designed by gallery artists.
2. A Well-Kept Secret: Accessible via a ladder from a discreet back office, the rooftop beekeeping operation is not fully visible to the public due to skylights for the exhibition rooms below. While passersby on the High Line may catch glimpses of the gallery's rooftop display, the beehives remain hidden behind a lush assortment of grasses, bushes, and trees. The bees, although occasionally visible during spring and summer swarms, are largely a well-kept secret.
3. Collaboration and Community Engagement: Kasmin Gallery's beekeeping initiative is a collaboration with Best Bees, a beekeeping company. The gallery staff, led by bee liaison Corey Bernstein, prepares the hives for winter, ensuring the bees' survival. Best Bees conducts lectures and honey tastings for gallery staff during the summer, fostering community engagement and education. The broader goal is to transform the sculpture garden into a welcoming space for various wildlife, aligning with a post-pandemic decision to allow the rooftop to evolve more naturally.
4. The Bee as a Gallery Mascot: The beekeeping project has become an integral part of Kasmin Gallery's identity. Bees are now considered the gallery's "mascot," symbolizing its commitment to sustainability. An image of a bee serves as the printer's mark for the gallery's publications. Notably, artists associated with the gallery, including Mark Ryden, Daniel Gordon, and Alexander Harrison, contribute by designing labels for the honey jars, turning the annual harvest into unique and artistic holiday gifts.
5. Blending Nature and Art: The rooftop's transition to a more natural state, especially post-COVID-19, aligns with Kasmin Gallery's vision of integrating art with the environment. The greenery, including both native and non-native plants, complements the gallery's commitment to sustainability. The garden's evolution is a meticulous process, with gardeners and landscape architects identifying and preserving flora that harmonizes with the space.
Conclusion: Kasmin Gallery's venture into beekeeping serves as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between art, nature, and sustainability. The hidden rooftop oasis not only produces honey but also encapsulates the gallery's dedication to environmental consciousness, community engagement, and the seamless integration of art into the natural world.
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