"all water has a perfect memory": Three Universities Respond

Join us for the opening & celebration of the student art exhibition in response to the inaugural "all water has a perfect memory" exhibition at the Elizabeth River Project's Ryan Resilience Lab. 

“You know, they straightened out the Mississippi River in places, to make room for houses and livable acreage. Occasionally the river floods these places. 'Floods' is the word they use, but in fact it is not flooding; it is remembering... All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was." - Toni Morrison

“𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆” | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁
The theme, taken from a Toni Morrison passage, reflects on ways that the waters of the Elizabeth River have changed, and will change over the centuries. The exhibit aims to explore the poetics of the river’s return and the resilience of communities in its path.

This show presents work from students at Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia Wesleyan University.

Arrive early for an optional tour of the Elizabeth River Project's Ryan Resilience Lab at 5:00pm.

This event is free, and donations are appreciated, as we seek to ensure our programs are accessible to all.

Cover Artwork by Hind Al Saffar, Old Dominion University