We welcome MFA Members to join us for an exclusive opening reception for the third installation of Tempus volat, hora fugit by Christian Sampson. Meet the artist, enjoy coffee and pastries, and marvel at the beautiful play of light and color that will fill the Mary Alice McClendon Conservatory.

This third installation of Tempus volat, hora fugit brings additional color to the Conservatory as we celebrate the autumnal equinox. The autumnal equinox is an astronomical event that marks the start of autumn (or “fall”). In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs in September; in the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs in March. During an equinox, the Sun crosses the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun crosses the equator from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, it marks the vernal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the reverse.

Join us for this celebration of the seasons and see how the space will transform with new colors and light with this third installation.

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Autumnal Equinox with Artist Christian Sampson
Member Preview & Reception
Saturday, September 23, 2023
8:00 am–10:00 am
Marly Room
Free for MFA Members; Registration Required 

Christian Sampson is a multimedia artist whose practice is anchored largely by philosophies related to the Light and Space movement that originated in California in the 1960s, particularly the ideas of ephemerality and optical perception. He also has an affinity for early film mediums and animation, and certainly, there is a durational, cinematic quality to his work. Sampson has worked site-specifically, spending time in the MFA Conservatory to experience the changing of light so beautifully captured in our east-facing wall of windows that look out onto the Bay. Sampson earned his BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL, and an MFA from Hunter College, New York City, NY. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and at the Centre Pompidou, Paris, France. He lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

Picture of Health is a comprehensive initiative that explores interconnected notions of well-being transcending geographical and temporal boundaries, leveraging the MFA Collection as a starting point. This program fosters a holistic investigation of health, encompassing cognitive, physical, physiological, emotional, civic, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions, all with the aim of nurturing a sense of wellness within our community.