Lighthouse of Moth: New Solo Exhibition for Meaghan Elyse '23

Visual Arts alum Meaghan Elyse ’23 has a new show at The Boiler, ELM Foundation titled Lighthouse of Moth. Reflecting upon waste, violence against the earth and other bodies, this work asks: can the frequency of a body be felt across a room? Across the earth? 

Much like moth larvae that can survive on both synthetic and natural fibers, Elyse uses discarded textiles and plastics and reimagines them, woven into something new and essential, forming a supportive inner structure. This structure evolves into a lighthouse, providing a view of the cosmos on both micro and macro levels. It offers a space for introspection and rest on a curved bench, while also allowing for a broader release, a way to exhale and let go.

To bring the show to life, Elyse worked with Sound Art alum Char Jeré '23 who helped with the sound composition within the sculpture. The team used transducers which turned the entire structure into a speaker. Elyse had thought about the lighthouse as a fog horn, and how we send messages out through vibrations. The transducers allowed her to get this message across. 

She also worked with John Maria Gutierrez, an artist and performer she met through a residency on Governors Island. Maria Gutierrez brought the space to life during the opening of the show with a dance activation. 

Inspired by Elizabeth Bennett's Vibrant Matter, Elyse’s work reflects the interconnectedness of all things: the energy within our bodies, the currents running through the building’s pipes, the earth beneath us, and the vast reaches of the universe. From this concentrated space, the lighthouse emits signals—a beacon of guidance or caution. It communicates through sound and light, oscillating between holding and releasing, much like Morse code.

Within this enclosed space, the lighthouse's geometry and tapestries continually expand, both inward and outward. The spiral, much like an art practice or a sense of place in the world, grows steadily and persistently, like the pace of a snail in ongoing formation.

The gallery is open for viewing Tuesdays–Saturdays from 1–6 pm through September 28, 2024 at The Boiler, in Brooklyn, NY