Hurtling into the present day, Schwartz fills almost half the gallery with her contemporary spin on penschilderij, a 17th-century Dutch pen-painting technique. Though it is unclear why this particular method was appropriated for the subject matter, metallic silver, blue, and gold line drawings on black-primed canvases convey microscopic views of cellular forms and processes. The largest of these hangs in the Congress Street window, and is one in a series of representations of H1N1, the swine-flu virus. These bold canvases may clash with the more delicate monotypes and etchings, and read like a second show altogether, but as the virus is unstable and capable of exchanging genetic material to form new strains, conceptually they display a contemporary concentrated evolution in action.
Annie Larmon can be reached at aglarmon@gmail.com.
"FROM SO SIMPLE A BEGINNING: MY DARWIN"drawings & prints by Dorothy Schwartz + soundwork composed by Elliott Schwartz | at June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA, 522 Congress St, Portland | Through June 26 | 207.879.5742
Related:
Killer plants, ‘without remorse’, Plotting experience, Not-so-sure guys, More 
- Killer plants, ‘without remorse’
On display behind a glass enclosure at the New England Carnivorous Plant Society's seventh annual show was a rare book, not a plant.
- Plotting experience
Kendra Ferguson and Noa Warren are deftly paired at June Fitzpatrick’s Congress Street gallery this month, as an established and emerging artist each compulsive explore the subjective and human potential of minimalism.
- Not-so-sure guys
It’s a few days after Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, and Rebecca Watson is posted up at the Asgard, a popular bar down the road from MIT, passing out leaflets promoting an upcoming “Skeptics in the Pub” event.
- They said what?
GOP leaders have a reputation for shunning science in favor of politics: on stem-cell research, evolution, and of course, climate change. As the global-warming battle heats up, so has their often-nonsensical rhetoric.
- Summer people
Ever wonder why there is so much professional-level art made and shown in Maine, a state with a total population less than that of many minor cities? One answer is that following the fame of people like Winslow Homer, creative types flocked to Maine, often to artists' colonies.
- Evolution
From muck to stardust
- Interview: Jane Goodall
If only there were more trees to be torn down, we could utilize them . . . to fill newspapers with the endless depressing stories out there about the environment and all its hapless inhabitants.
- God and Darwin
Julie Raines has been teaching biology at Yarmouth High School for 25 years. She hasn't always taught evolution.
- Groups + solos
First on the list of this year's points of interest is the anticipated Portland Museum of Art Biennial, which opens in early April.
- Springtime for Darwin
There are two stories, and two stories only.
- Holy War!
There’s no doubt about it: right now, God is on the side of the atheists.
- Less
Topics:
Museum And Gallery
, Charles Darwin, Charles Darwin, University of Cambridge, More
, Charles Darwin, Charles Darwin, University of Cambridge, evolution, Maine College of Art, Smith College, Elliott Schwartz, Elliott Schwartz, Elliott Schwartz, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Less
