THE DROP, 2012+: Group Exhibition curated by Alexandra Chang, Mie Iwatsuki, Ceren Bingol and Noah Riley, 4th Floor Gallery New York, USA

The title is partly coined from the Mayan calendar, indicating an upcoming shift from one phase of life to something new about to take shape. As the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, a certain sense of impending urgency is represented by this number when coupled with the current global realities of climate change. And what is felt locally and individually can potently highlight our participation within a global society. Yet the symbol "+" is also a call to contemplate and seek possibilities to envision what can be.

The 2012+ exhibition investigates the relationship of the urban-­‐based artist and city dweller to their environs, from the city, to how they situate themselves in relationship to the environment on a global level. Each artist presented in the show contemplates their link to their notion of the environment in a unique way. By including both urban space as well as the natural environment within this realm, these artists take into account a point of view specific to the city dweller.

Some art may take on the urgency of a last warning, or contemplation of the politics that results in dystopias of environmental and societal disaster. Some may seek to present elements of harmony, an ideal state of nature, and coexistence, ushering in ideas of optimism or a possible utopia. While others may be meditative on the closeness or elusiveness of these ideas in everyday urban existence.