Cara Levine Me Catch You: Dream Catcher Repica Mobile for Peter, 2024. Inkjet Prints. Courtesy of the artist.
A Sea of Particles
Dates
On view: May 7-16, 2026
Opening Reception: May 7, 5-7pm
About the exhibition
A Sea of Particles explores the lasting impact of shared interactions over time. Exploring the significance of fleeting moments such as cooking a meal with loved ones, having an impassioned conversation over drinks, overcoming a challenging scenario, receiving a warm embrace during a vulnerable moment, exchanging a friendly wave from afar, or creating art together in a shared studio, A Sea of Particles centers around both material and ephemeral moments of connection. Through various formats such as invisible threads, sound waves, the wind, prints and writing, telepathy, physical movement, and various sensorial experiences, this grouping of work makes visible the invisible impressions that pepper our lives.
Collectively, the works in A Sea of Particles nod to aspects of our varied relationships and, specifically, the power of artist communities and how those connections resurface over time. Inspired by the late artist Peter Simensky’s life and practice as a connector and collaborator, A Sea of Particles serves as a case study of how meaning can be created and sustained when groups of people make and think together.
A Sea of Particles, along with the concurrent ICA solo exhibition Pyrite Radio by Peter Simensky, are collectively the third installment of the ICA at MECA&D’s Getaway! Exhibition series that explores the power and pitfalls of escapism as a reaction to the question, “What do we do in response to our current crises?”. These group and solo exhibitions explore various topics within the broader theme of escapism, examining both the complex impulses that drive us away from challenging circumstances and the destinations and activities we pursue when we do. Through diverse research and artistic practices, this series aims to provide a space for imagination, enabling us to equip our communities, both within and beyond MECA&D, with new tools to create the worlds they envision.
Exhibiting Artists: Nelson Chan, Sarah Crowder, Garrick Imatani, Cara Levine, David McBride, Esperanza Mayobre, Alison O’Daniel, Jess Perlitz, Julie Poitras Santos, Sunny A. Smith, Emily Squires, Jenny Vogel
A Sea of Particles is curated by Director of Exhibitions Iris Williamson, with support from an evolving advisory committee and MECA&D student researchers Francesca Woolson ‘26, Carolyn Day ‘26, Violet Barr MFA ‘27, and Katie Devlin ‘27. Production management is handled by Exhibitions Manager Sarah Sawtelle '19 and Exhibitions Assistant Caroline Kouba '22. Design by Omnivore.
Events
In addition to curricular programs, A Sea of Particles public offerings include:
- A Sea of Particles Opening Reception: Friday, June 26, 2026, 5:00-7:00 pm, The ICA at MECA&D
- Visiting Artist Talk with Garrick Imatani, co-presented with MECA&D MFA in Studio Art as part of the 2026 MFA Visiting Artist Summer Lecture Series: Monday, June 29, 2026, 5:30-7:00 pm, Osher Hall, MECA&D Campus
- July Portland First Friday Art Walk: Friday, July 3, 2026, 5:00-8:00 pm, The ICA at MECA&D
- Visiting Artist Talk with Jess Perlitz, co-presented with MECA&D MFA in Studio Art as part of the 2026 MFA Visiting Artist Summer Lecture Series: Monday, July 13, 2026, 5:30-7:00 pm, Osher Hall, MECA&D Campus
- August Portland First Friday Art Walk: Friday, August 7, 2026, 5:00-8:00 pm, The ICA at MECA&D
- September Portland First Friday Art Walk: Friday, September 4, 2026, 5:00-8:00 pm, The ICA at MECA&D
All programs are free and open to the public; additional programming will be announced. For more information, visit meca.edu/ica.