Western North Carolina: 6 Months Later
A selection of works curated by Mike Belleme
Western North Carolina has long been a magnet for climate refugees. Our mountains have been identified as a climate haven, where people come to flee drought and fires in the West, or flooding in far off regions of the East coast. Six months ago, on September 27, 2024, all of that changed with a catastrophic weather event that upended that false sense of security felt by our unsuspecting community cradled by the ancient Appalachian Mountains. A clear message was sent to us and the rest of the world, that there are no climate havens. Climate change is not a problem that you can pack your bags and move away from.
It's too simplistic to say that “we” are in any given phase of recovery because these phases and emotional realities can come and go within the course of a day, and are different for everyone. There is no singular narrative. The healing that is necessary in the coming months and years, for the land and for the people, will have a lot of faces.
The power of photography is its specificity. Too often as media photographers our images are used to force a predetermined and simplistic narrative. In this collection of images, we aim to embrace the complex and messy reality that we are all feeling a lot of things all at once. And the people who share their stories with us are doing just that, sharing their story. Not the story of Helene. That story is still evolving. Six months in, we find ourselves in this in-between space with aspects of normalcy returning to our daily lives, while daily reminders of the devastation bring us back to a reality that is anything but normal.
The Earth knows how to heal, and we can learn from her, and humans know how to heal too, but it takes some remembering and it takes being in community. Photography has offered each of us a tool for communication and processing, both of which can allow for healing. On a personal level, photography also offers community. Each of the photographers in this show are friends that I’m so happy to be in community with as we share this healing journey.
…Mike Belleme
Works by:
Mike Belleme / Kaoly Gutierrez / Jack Sorokin / Erin Brethauer / Tim Hussin / Juan Diego Reyes / Jesse Barber / Rob Amberg / George Etheredge
…additional works by the artists that are not in the show
Artists in order listed: Mike Belleme / Kaoly Gutierrez / Jack Sorokin / Erin Brethauer / Tim Hussin / Juan Diego Reyes / Jesse Barber / Rob Amberg / George Etheredge
Satellite Art Fair : Miami 2024
Button Studios is super excited to be bringing Oliver Ehmig, Jarid Blue, and Ryan Brown to Satellite Art Fair this year during Art Basel Miami.
Come check us out at 420 Lincoln Rd in the corner office.
Exhibition Statement
Button Studios is a new Project Space based in Brooklyn NY featuring work at the intersection of art, architecture, and the evershifting definition of culture in a variety of ways.
In this exhibition we are showing the works of 3 artists from very different corners of the art world.
Oliver Ehmig is an internationally acclaimed photographer whose work transcends geographical boundaries, capturing the essence of humanity through a lens that spans cities as dynamic and diverse as Bogotá, Miami, and New York City. Based in Miami, Ehmig’s photography offers viewers a window into a fragment of a larger, untold story. Each image is a compelling narrative, inviting reflection and deeper engagement.
Jarid Blue is a multi-disciplinary artist who seeks to challenge traditional notions of beauty and help others connect with their bodies in new and empowering ways. His work with projections on the human body as a canvas is highlighted in the works he’s shown with Button Studios, Environments Reflected is a thread in the artist’s work where he is exploring how architectural elements of the subject’s environment transform their appearance and identity in a landscape of beautifully diverse humanity.
Ryan Brown makes paintings and objects that seamlessly combine elements of nonrepresentational abstraction and naturalistic hyper-realism, resulting in vivid combinations of contradicting forces that put perception and recognition to the test. His current exhibition at Button Studios in Brooklyn launches Dog Days NYC, a public art initiative dedicated to highlighting the struggles of New York City’s displaced and marginalized communities. By merging his striking visual language with social activism, Brown’s work not only captivates audiences but also sparks vital conversations, using art as a tool for empathy, awareness, and meaningful change.
Together, the works of Oliver Ehmig, Jarid Blue, and Ryan Brown weave a powerful narrative of humanity, identity, and social consciousness. From Ehmig’s evocative photographs that transcend borders and reveal the shared essence of human experience, to Blue’s transformative exploration of the human body as a canvas and its connection to environment and identity, to Brown’s dynamic fusion of abstraction and realism that challenges perception while advocating for marginalized communities—these artists collectively invite us to see the world through new, empathetic lenses. Their works remind us of art’s profound capacity to bridge divides, elevate overlooked stories, and inspire meaningful change in an ever-evolving landscape of diversity and shared humanity.
BROOKLYN HARVEST / THANKSGIVING FOOD-DRIVE FUND RAISER
Button Studios collaborated with Red Hook Mutual Aid by putting together a food-drive/fundraiser for Thanksgiving and it was a great success!
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of High Breed Music, and Still Moving Productions we brought a great crowd together for our first Brooklyn Harvest dance party.
Ryan Brown
DOG DAYS NYC
October 24th through December 23rd
DOG DAYS is a social sculpture consisting of a series of canvas dogs placed in public spaces across New York City. These objects act as surrogates for what has been abandoned, cast aside, or exiled, evoking what lies dormant and hidden from sight.
The goal of the project is to engage directly with a local community through public art and social interaction.
Jarid Blue
Light Baths: Environments Reflected
Exhibition Expansion September 19th - October 10th
Button Studios is thrilled to announce "Light Baths: Environments Reflected,"
a captivating solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Jarid Blue.
This unique showcase explores years of the artist’s journey in capturing the intricate interplay between human bodies and their surroundings. Through meticulously photographed images, Jarid bathes bodies in vibrant projections, creating interactive, co-creative spaces that champion body positivity and comfort within one's skin. Visitors are invited to engage in a deep conversation about human identity viewed through an intimate and transformative lens.
The exhibition features a series of large-format prints that highlight the dynamic relationship between organic and human-made architectures on the human form. These selected works resonate between the structures of biological forms inherent in the natural world and the contrasting rigid landscapes of urban environments. Jarid Blue's artistry navigates the evolving interplay between technology and humanity, reflecting on the progressive transformation, refinement, and optimization within our society. The artist crafts a sanctuary that invites viewers to reconnect with their innermost selves, offering a profound space for introspection and self-expression.
In a conversation that has always been with society where the boundaries of human identity, sexuality, and self-perception are continually questioned and redefined, Blue's body of work emerges as a profound exploration of these themes. His work is not only timely but essential, offering a unique perspective on the human condition and our place within it. Jarid Blue's art responds to the evolving interplay between technology and humanity, addressing the progressive reduction, refinement, and optimization in our society by navigating a space that invites viewers to reconnect with their innermost selves, providing a sanctuary for introspection and self-expression.
Blue's work transcends traditional boundaries, merging the human form with light in a way that creates a new language of expression. His use of light projections on the human body transforms vulnerability into a source of comfort and strength, allowing viewers to shed societal constraints and explore their authentic selves. This interaction with light and form provides a platform for individuals to engage with their inner spirits, free from external judgment and societal norms.
Working session with Jarid Blue
On opening night, Jarid Blue will present an immersive installation. Guests are invited to actively participate in the creation process as patterns and images drawn from the surrounding architecture and neighborhood of Button Studios are projected onto attendees. This transformation turns participants into living works of art, forging a deeper connection to their environment. This interactive experience will pave the way for a follow-up show at the end of the month, where newly captured images and videos will be showcased.
Join us for a night of transformative art to explore how our surroundings imprint upon us, and how we, in turn, leave our mark on them.
Opening September 5th
Join us for drinks and light snacks at the show opening, meet the artist and take the chance to experience Jarid Blue at work with a live light-bath session
Expansion on September 19th
The show will be updated with works produced during the opening event, where Jarid will showcase how his selection of images from the environment surrounding Button Studios works with subjects' collaboration with the show.
Closing Party on October 10th
All good things must come to an end, join us for drinks and dinner over conversation reflecting on Jarid’s work as the show officially closes
https://jaridblue.com
https://www.instagram.com/kingmallard
Oliver Ehmig
A Sense of Place
June 23rd through August 23rd
Oliver Ehmig is more than a photographer, he’s a passionate explorer and storyteller,
delving into the overlooked corners of the places he explores. His work transcends visual documentation, becoming a powerful medium to portray the unseen and the forgotten. In an era dominated by mainstream narratives, many regions remain shrouded in obscurity. His work highlights regions such as Chocó, El Salado, and Antioquia in Colombia—areas that possess unique and raw beauty while grappling with stark contrasts of culture and environment. His unique perspective transports viewers to places most would not dare to go, revealing their inhabitants' resilience, culture, and life, intriguing us with a new way of seeing.
In Chocó, Ehmig's photos depict vibrant communities surrounded by lush rainforests, where the richness of nature contrasts with economic challenges. In El Salado, his work juxtaposes the scars of conflict with the enduring spirit of its people. In Antioquia, his images portray the region's idiosyncrasies and the challenges modernity brings to their daily lives.
Wilding his camera to honor what he has in front of the lens, he invites the viewers to look beyond curated images and to seek profound beauty in the quotidian. His photography urges us to reconsider our perceptions and find empathy in unfamiliar faces.
Oliver Ehmig
Oliver Ehmig is a Miami-based artist working with photography and visual storytelling. Born in Germany and raised in Colombia, he brings a diverse cultural influence to his work, capturing moments that resonate with authenticity and depth. A self-taught artist, Oliver is dedicated to the continual refinement of his photographic style. Balancing a keen documentary-style vision with an inner Quixote-esque spirit, he navigates the visual landscape through his lens with a commitment to storytelling. Among Oliver's most notable achievements is his long-term project with the Colombian Armed Forces, a testament to his ability to engage with diverse subjects and convey their stories with empathy and insight.
Different Corners of The World : Film Series curated by Mariah Wilson
June 23rd through September 23rd
Mariah Wilson
Mariah Wilson is an Emmy-winning documentary producer and director with a focus on wildlife conservation whose work has taken her to six continents. Mariah is passionate about illuminating the myriad intersections between humans and animals, and celebrating those dedicated to protecting wildlife. She is a proud Jackson Wild Summit Fellow (2021) and Explorer’s Club Fellow. More at: www.mariahewilson.com
Safiyah Chiniere
Safiyah Chiniere has a deep love for storytelling and filming. She uses film to amplify the stories and the voices of people of color, women, and femmes.The specific space of Safiyah’s subject matter gives a firm footing to develop a visual style necessary to operate within the fertile interior spaces of these communities. It presents a stimulating and refreshing approach to capturing the faces, bodies, and various expressions of intimacy, slowing down the pacing and magnifying spaces to highlight that which is so often overlooked, dismissed, or delegitimized, all while maintaining wholehearted and sincere storytelling.”
Adam Nawrot
Adam Nawrot is a non-fiction filmmaker interested in the intersection of exploration and social change. His feature debut ‘Godspeed, Los Polacos!’ was awarded Best Feature at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival and explores the unlikely link between the fall of the Soviet Union, whitewater kayaking, and the first decent of the world’s deepest canyon. He is currently in the finishing stages of a film that follows the world’s top ocean rowers as they attempt to retrace Ernest Shackleton’s legendary voyage from the tip of Antarctica to the island of South Georgia.
Liam Tobin
Liam Tobin is a filmmaker passionate about telling stories of the human connection to the natural world. He began work in the film industry as an assistant editor and camera operator for a series of documentaries highlighting shark and ray biodiversity worldwide. 'Puddlejumper' is his first film, a story capturing the raw adventure that comes with the renegade sport of freediving.
Photo works by Oliver Ehmig will be on display from June 23rd through August 31st.