Media Contacts:

Lynn Goswick – 212-602-9635

Trinity Wall Street

Ilyse Fink/Jennifer Krug – 212-575-4545

Linden Alschuler & Kaplan, PR

For Immediate Release

Trinity Museum Looks at Today’s Iconography

Soul Seekers: Interpreting the Icon Showcases the

Contemporary Face of an Ancient Art Form

Opening Reception for Artists and Public - Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 6-8pm

New York – (May 3, 2012) For thousands of years, iconography has been an integral element of the human quest for spiritual fulfillment. From May 11 to June 30, 2012, Trinity Museum, inside Trinity Church on Broadway at Wall Street, presents an eclectic and surprising collection of works from the hands and minds of modern-day artists. Soul Seekers: Interpreting the Icon provides an opportunity to reconsider the form, status, and relevance of iconography. The works can be seen to fulfill a broader concept of iconography within the wider social realm.

Primarily associated with the Eastern Orthodox tradition of the Christian church, icons are holy pictures depicting aspects of the life of Christ, the saints, and the heavenly realm. Icons bring together the vision of the artist and the perception of the viewer as they enter upon a relationship with the subject depicted as it relates to and influences human experience. In this way, icons present us with a way of viewing and discerning art. While icon making in its original form continues, what constitutes iconography today is open to interpretation. With a fluid and open culture, there are infinite choices in terms of public and private examples of the iconic, running the gamut from traditional emblems to ubiquitous pop culture branding.

Art in this exhibition spans the mediums of sculpture, painting, photography, film and text. Karen Azoulay's funereal and elegiac photographic images reference art historical symbolism while evoking a deeply contemplative atmosphere; Matthew Dayler's embracing fighters challenge the perception of intimacy and highlight the figure as a timeless cultural motif; and Jeffrey Mongrain's subtle expressions of human frailty and spiritual symbolism captivate with an understated, emotive power. In addition, works by Pavel Antonov, Jordan Eagles, Alex Frost, Moses Hoskins, Darren Jones, Kara L. Rooney, and Aida Sehovic will be displayed.

“Everyone is looking for an icon, something onto which they can project hope, and from which they can gain hope,” stated the Rev. John W. Moody, who organized the exhibit with fellow parishioner Ryan L. Campbell, chairperson of Trinity’s Visual Arts Committee.“Traditional iconography has been a continuous source of strength and growth for individuals and the church.”

Curated by Madina Stepanchenko, Soul Seekers also considers how one relates to iconography. The visual language of the cultural landscape provides many possibilities for what the ‘iconic’ can mean, offering myriad ways to convey our beliefs and values. These motifs and signs are what we often turn to in defining ourselves, just as we are also defined by them.

Soul Seekers reveals unexpected and revelatory works of art that can be seen as contemporary manifestations of this ancient form of human expression.

This exhibit is presented by Trinity Wall Street Music and the Arts, Trinity Congregational Arts Phenomena Project. It is on view daily at Trinity Museum, inside Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street; closed during mid-day services (11:45am-12:45pm). Free and open to all. Nearest Subways: Rector Street (R,W,1) Wall Street (2,3,4,5)

ABOUT TRINITY WALL STREET

Located at the head of Wall Street, Trinity Church has been part of New York City’s and our nation’s history since its charter in 1697. Today, the organization has grown to include many important areas of focus and is collectively known as Trinity Wall Street. Most importantly, Trinity Wall Street is an Episcopal parish offering daily worship services and faith formation programs at Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, and online at trinitywallstreet.org. In addition, Trinity Wall Street includes Trinity Grants, providing $80 million in funding to 85 countries since 1972; Trinity Preschool; Trinity Institute, an annual theological conference; an extensive arts program presenting more than 100 concerts each year through Concerts @ One, the Trinity Choir, and the Trinity Choristers; and Trinity Real Estate, which manages the parish’s six million square feet of commercial real estate in lower Manhattan.

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