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What: “Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden” solo exhibition

When: The exhibition runs from Feb. 15 (Friday) to July 15 (Monday).

Where: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. in Washington, D.C.

Hours: See http://www.cpnas.org/visit/

Cost: Free with photo I.D.

Background: “Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden” represents over a decade of ongoing, creative documentation of the world’s seed banks by artist and University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design Distinguished Research Professor, Dornith Doherty. Her solo exhibition at the National Academy of Sciences Art Gallery provides a comprehensive look into the efforts and collections of international seed banks working to ensure the survival of genetic diversity in wild and agricultural species.

Doherty utilizes the seed banks’ on-site x-ray equipment that is used to assess the viability of stored seeds, to document and create artworks from these important collections. Capturing what is normally invisible to the human eye, Doherty says she is struck by the power of these tiny plantlets and seeds to generate life and endure over time. In an era of climate change and declining biodiversity, the goal of seed banking is to preserve these sparks of life for 200 years or more.