Cole Barash (b. 1987) is a visual artist based between Brooklyn, NY, Wellfleet, MA and South Kingstown, RI. Working in the mediums of digital and analog photography, along with fabrics and textiles, his work focuses on the conversation of color and composition between two objects or moments. “A Clear North Sky,” is a presentation of work centered around our relationship with nature. The pieces in the exhibition are recordings of sculptural moments between found objects and nature as place. They explore the ideas of symmetry, emotion, balance and simplicity. Finding, searching and navigating these terms, Barash asks; What is conversation? What is genuineness? What is natural? What is the symmetry between two natural worlds or objects from different environments yet living in the same climate? What is the language between these objects. Barash sees this as a sign of hope and to further understand the world beyond what is fed to us or what is in our immediate observation.

In the studio, Barash creates new relationships between natural forms. Isolated on a wooden table illuminated only by available light. He collects these natural found objects from the forest and ocean within the same four mile radius of his studio. These moments strip away distractions and allow the focus to remain on the genuine forms and structure.For Barash this is an opportunity to question and investigate. Weight, pressure, full capacity, constantly being cornered to push forward. Barash asks such questions as: “Why if I do everything correct and requested as a citizen am I then constantly battling institutional curve balls? The stress of our everyday routine makes him question and reassess the actual importance of the “systems” designed in our society. To live a pure, genuine, honest life and to provide for a family is harder at this current time than it has possibly ever has been.

The other images in the show are printed on Japanese rice paper focus on nature as place. Barash references Robert Adams in his investigations, looking to nature as a teacher. “A Clear North Sky” brings excerpts of these ideas together at Farm Projects through still images, video, installation and writings from the past months. Part scientific and part philosophical, both approaches are addressing the same questions. This work highlights the moments in which nature is explored as the infinitely unique, where we can turn to for answers or lessons. Where a grass from the sea and a broken stick from a fallen tree can communicate. This work is also a tribute to Wellfleet, an environment and landscape that has an incredible influence on Barash’s work and will continue to contribute to his practice in the future.