Artist to create work inspired by beach grass

As part of an initiative called Past Present Projects, California-based artist Monroe Isenberg is doing a five-day residency at Cape Henlopen State Park to create artwork inspired by American beach grass. The residency runs Jan. 5 through Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Past Present Projects is a Philadelphia-based organization that facilitates contemporary art exhibitions in partnership with historic sites. According to an announcement from the organization, Isenberg is interested in the dune-building ability of this species of beach grass, and he is thinking of it as a collaborator for artistic production.

“The protection and preservation of the dunes is the underlying message for this project, and Monroe's process will not involve disturbing or removing any natural materials,” reads the description of the residency and project.

Isenberg is a sculpture professor, and he has recently undertaken residencies in Norway and Iceland. He was originally selected for this project when he was living in Philadelphia and conducted a site visit for the project in June 2021.

Joining Isenberg during the residency will be Zindzi Harley, assistant curator of the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the person who selected Monroe for the residency when she was still working at Past Present Projects. Harley will write a curatorial essay on Monroe’s residency as part of the project.

In addition to the residency, Isenberg will hold a free walk-and-talk at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, during which he will discuss his observations and demonstrate his process. According to Isenberg, the walk-and-talk will begin at Tower 7, which is across from the Fort Miles parking lot off Dune Road.

For more information on the project and to sign up for the walk-and-talk, go to the events tab at pastpresentprojects.org.