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Installations

Work adapts to each space or exhibit inhabited, delivering an environmental and social message amplifying our responsibility of well being for our planet and each other.

Interdependence

Interdependence

128 ceramic sculptures and concept by Marguerita Hagan & animated video by Richard W. Gretzinger. Installation, 33’w x 15’h. created for Rising Tides: Contemporary Art & the Ecology of Water Exhibit curated by Laura Turner Igoe at the Michener Art Museum, 2020-21.

Interdependence Installation & Rising Tides: Contemporary Art & the Ecology of Water

Ceramic sculpture and Interdependence Installation in Rising Tides exhibit at the Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA. Video by Richard W. Gretzinger

Interdependence: Earth clip

Click full screen to watch this initial video sequence, accompanied by the understated sound of space fading into a constant heartbeat of our planet’s blue heart, the ocean.

The most recognized photograph in the world, The Blue Marble, captured in 1972 by the astronauts of Apollo 17 became the symbol of Earth Day, April 22. Rising Tides and Interdependence honors the 50th anniversary.

The female group show is a deep bow to Mother Earth and the 100th anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote.

Pardon the vimeo plug for Staff Picks at the end of each clip.

Interdependence: Dive clip

A mother and calf humpback whale serenade as the lens plunges into the sea. Sculptures pulse and fade, creating reverberating ripples across the gallery wall.

Interdependence: Plankton clip

Murmuring plankton blooms immerse the sea and ceramic works in green to emphasize the one-cell organisms that provide over 50% of Earth’s oxygen. When the microscopic primary producers housing plankton, bloom in the spring, their swirls of green go macro and are captured by satellite video as animated in this clip.

Hagan plays with scale and the diversity of marine ecosystems, from microscopic to massive organisms like coral and the blue whale. 

Interdependence emphasizes the wonder and critically fragile state of our planet as a result of climate change from human damages. Hagan magnifies what is invisible to most, although its well-being is deeply intertwined with our own. She advocates for responsibility for our impact and relationship to the environment as if our lives depend on it, because they do.

If colonies of microscopic organisms have supported the entire planet for millions of years, imagine what we can achieve together.

 Huge thanks to Richard W. Gretzinger for this inspiring collaboration! Marguerita, Rich and  Interdependence

Huge thanks to Richard W. Gretzinger for this inspiring collaboration! Marguerita, Rich and Interdependence

Interdependence Legend

Interdependence Legend

Explore the legend to identify each sculpture and species in detail. The description gives a brief overview of this immense subject.

Archival prints available in 13” x 19”/$25 or 18” x 24”/$40 and Posters 12” x 18”/$10. Email Marguerita to place your order.

Love Letters to Earth

Love Letters to Earth

Love Letters to Earth solo exhibit Sept 20 - Nov 11, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Historic Landmark Building, Alumni Gallery, Philadelphia. Curated by Morgan Hobbs & CJ Stahl, exhibit programing included a Pit-Fire Workshop for MFA and undergraduate students. See Pit-Fire Workshop images on Classes page.

  Sunlit Stream  detail of marine micro organisms from our ocean’s sunlit (top) layer responsible for over 50% of Earth’s oxygen, our every other breath.

Sunlit Stream detail of marine micro organisms from our ocean’s sunlit (top) layer responsible for over 50% of Earth’s oxygen, our every other breath.

La Mer: People Protect What They Love

La Mer: People Protect What They Love

Solo exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond June 6, 2017 - Jan 8, 2018.

Marine Milky Way: Homage to David Hagan, brother, physicist, astronomer, educator, humanitarian and beyond as well as Staff Scientist for 30 years at Science Museum of Virginia.

  Marine Milky Way , opening reception of La Mer: People Protect What They Love.

Marine Milky Way, opening reception of La Mer: People Protect What They Love.

Wildlife & La Mer at Philadelphia International Airport

Wildlife & La Mer at Philadelphia International Airport

Invited by PHL Art Program curator, Leah Douglas to exhibit in the 63’ case between Terminals C & D, Feb - Oct 2017

  Wildlife Shields,  right case.

Wildlife Shields, right case.

  Wildlife  &  La Mer Shields,  center case.

Wildlife & La Mer Shields, center case.

  Micro Marine Milky Way ,  left case.

Micro Marine Milky Way , left case.

  Spotted-Drumfish ,  Clownfish  &  Weedy Sea Dragon, Wildlife Shields,  right case.

Spotted-Drumfish, Clownfish & Weedy Sea Dragon, Wildlife Shields, right case.

  Leafy Sea Dragon ,  Anemone ,  Great Star Coral ,  Firefly Squid  &  Radiolarian Shields,  center case.

Leafy Sea Dragon, Anemone, Great Star Coral, Firefly Squid & Radiolarian Shields, center case.

 Dinoflagellate & diatom dive,  Micro Marine Milky Way,  left case.

Dinoflagellate & diatom dive, Micro Marine Milky Way, left case.

Wet Lab

Wet Lab

La Mer Installation at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia, June 2018.

  Diatom Odontella Colony Trio  in Wet Lab installation, 20’ long.

Diatom Odontella Colony Trio in Wet Lab installation, 20’ long.

Single-Cell Mingle Disco

Single-Cell Mingle Disco

Single as in microscopic cells, these gems are getting their groove on in the disco glow.

A playful sparkle from above uplifting our gaze and perspective on the primary producers powering the basis of our planet.

Magnifying micro-organisms, the sculpture is hand-built ceramic and completed after multiple firings including luster. Our single-cells have been working to support our planet for millions of years. The Single-Cell Mingle Disco shines light on raising awareness of this precious ecosystem.

La Mer Installation: Artbox Inaugural Exhibit

La Mer Installation: Artbox Inaugural Exhibit

Vampire Squid from Hell Shield and friends swimming along Market St, Philadelphia. This double-cased exhibition space set into an exterior commercial wall on Market St near 3rd Street was visible 24/7 and changed with each hour of the day.

  Dinoflagellate Ranipes Spectaculare  talking to the city and trees.

Dinoflagellate Ranipes Spectaculare talking to the city and trees.

 Dinoflagellates swimming in this Philly playground.

Dinoflagellates swimming in this Philly playground.