JUNGLESCIENCE SHOW EXPLORES SHADOW, SYMBOL, & SELF
“The first suspension I did was a crucifixion pose. I had four hooks in my arms and two in my back. I figured that when I’m in an art gallery, I’m being crucified by the public anyway. What would be more appropriate?”
It is early autumn, and dusk has just fallen. I am sipping cranberry juice in the depths of JungleScience Art Labs in Downtown Binghamton, listening to resident artist and internationally renowned mask-maker E.L. Downey reminiscing about the first time she embedded metal hooks into her skin and hung from the ceiling.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she continues. “You have all that anticipation, but then if you just look at it, it’s not as big as you think. More intense than having your blood drawn. But your endorphins kick in, and that lasts for five to seven hours afterwards, so you’re just floating.”
Suspension art is but one component to Shadow, Symbol & Self, a show centered on what many would call the ‘dark arts,’ taking place through the end of November at JungleScience.
“We’re not out killing cats or babies or making sacrifices to the, uhh, demon gods or whatever. We’re just curious about exploring our darker natures, our inner natures, our sacred spaces. If you don’t know who you are on the inside, then it manifests in unhealthy ways on the outside.”
The “we” Downey is referring to is the group of artists from around the country coming together at JungleScience to present the third installment of what has now become a semi-annual exhibit. Painters, poets, performers- the list is too big to print. Across mediums, these artists share an underlying aesthetic that could be considered almost sinister to the uninitiated. To call it sinister though would be missing the point.
Explains Downey: “We’re not here to shock the public. It’s a co-creative effort. It’s ‘what have you learned this year that you want to bring to the table as we come together in this sacred space.” Some of the artwork included in the show is somewhat macabre, yes, but much more of it focuses on the esoteric. Pagan imagery is a big part of what makes Shadow, Symbol & Self as intriguing as it is, and the timing of the show is far from coincidental.
“It’s appropriate with the Samhain holiday coming up. It’s traditionally a time when the veils are thin between the worlds- it’s a time to honor your ancestors and as you enter the darkness and introspective time of winter you reflect on things. It’s a time to take that dark matter and turn it into that spiritual gold through the alchemy process or the occult arts. So that’s kind of the theme of the show.”
‘Shadow, Symbol, & Self’ opens for the October 4th First Friday Artwalk in Downtown Binghamton, from 6-9pm. Immediately following, JungleScience will provide a fitting backdrop to the official afterparty for the annual Binghamton Zombie Walk. The party takes place 9pm-1am, and is BYOB (conveniently, there is a liquor store located just down the stairs). There is a $5 suggested donation. On November 4th, a second reception will be held, featuring several additional artists. The show is sponsored by Shamen’s Den Body Arts, Imagicka, and Masquerade Artisan. For more info on Downey, check out masqueradeartisan.com.
