Park Wonder

Park Wonder is a new book by Matthew Jensen, a Brooklyn-based conceptual landscape artist and Guggenheim fellow who combines photography, collecting, and rigorous explorations in his work. The book is a companion to Jensen's exhibition, Park Wonder: Rediscovering Northern New Jersey Landscapes on view at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, April 14 - July 23, 2017. Jensen spent months walking in four New Jersey landscapes: Watchung Reservation; the Passaic River Waterway; Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; and Gateway National Park, Sandy Hook Unit. The book and exhibition are the culmination of these walks, showcasing images and objects that Jensen gathered while exploring the landscapes. Park Wonder is divided into sections according to landscape, and includes photographs from each site and maps detailing walks designed by Jensen. It also includes essays by Ian Frazier, Ruth Canstein Yablonsky, Karl Fenske, Hazel England, and Tyler J. Kelley reflecting their personal connections to the areas, and an introduction by Art Center Curator, Mary Birmingham. The 140-page book contains striking photographs and maps for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Birmingham notes, "The objects and images Jensen finds while wandering in public spaces often spark wonder ... he hopes his work inspires people to similarly explore their environments - to wonder and to wander." The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey partnered with Paper Crown Press of Guttenberg, New Jersey to co-publish the book. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization and is accredited by the American Alliance for Museums. Its renowned studio school, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors, and people with special needs every year. This publication was funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation.