Alan Michelson's 'The Oyster' and Leslie Wayne's climate art open on Governors Island

On Governors Island, two new environmental art projects open this summer. Mohawk artist Alan Michelson's 'The Oyster' (July 30–November 30) is a monumental earthwork shaped like an oyster shell, filled with shells and texts on the oyster's history and cultural significance. Commissioned by More Art with Billion Oyster Project and Governors Island Arts, it is part of 'Reframing 1776: Land, Water, and the Work of Repair,' marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Michelson commemorates Indigenous middens that once dotted the harbor. Separately, Leslie Wayne's exhibition 'The Unintended Blues' (through September 27 at the Arts Center, presented by LMCC) features monumental paintings of melting Arctic glaciers and vulnerable coastlines, a sculpture, climate science handouts, and a video projection. Wayne aims to create a multi-dimensional experience about climate change. The projects join other environmental works on the island, including Anna Valdez's mural 'Spring Migration' on the hybrid-electric ferry Harbor Charger.