BATH – Maine Maritime Museum challenges the commonly held perception of what one will find in a maritime history museum with the opening of its latest exhibit, “Cross Currents: Visual Arts Distilled from the Maritime World.” The show is on view through Feb. 6.

Just as history is a compilation of complex interwoven elements, “Cross Currents” explores how maritime life has been diversely captured in four disciplines in the visual arts — by Carroll Thayer Berry through printmaking; by Loretta Krupinski through painting; by Claudio Cambon through photography; and by Christy Georg through sculpture.

Berry (1886-1978) is one of Maine’s best-known printmakers. Although the schooners and shores of the Maine coast are Berry’s most-recalled inspiration, he was also drawn to the industrial shipyard scene, documenting naval ships at Bath Iron Works as well as the dramatic pouring of the lead keel for the America’s Cup defender, Ranger, in 1936.

South Thomaston resident Krupinski paints outward from historical photography to regain the emotional context and colors of particular moments along the working waterfronts of coastal Maine communities, both living and forgotten.

Cambon has been a documentary photographer for more than 20 years, recording captivating moments of life and culture around the world, including Maine, through his camera lenses. His work has been exhibited, published and collected internationally.

The installations by Georg move otherwise staid maritime objects, techniques and material — knots, tattoos, scrimshaw, horns, signals, lanterns — into startling, humorous and ironic frames of reference. Her work is a provocative reminder of the swirling undertow overlooked by a strictly historical cataloging.

The museum is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas and New Year’s Day, when it will be closed. Museum admission for nonmembers ranges from $9 to $12, and is free for members and children younger than age 4.

In addition to “Cross Currents,” the museum has a large collection of maritime artifacts, maps and memorabilia on permanent display.

Call 443-1316 or visit www.mainemaritimemuseum.org.

 

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