EXHIBIT: Contemporary Currents; Companion Exhibit to Betty and Barney

Description

Portsmouth, NH- In September 1961, Portsmouth residents Betty and Barney Hill reported what would become one of the most widely known UFO encounters in American history. Their account, describing large-eyed extraterrestrials, celestial maps, and mysterious spacecraft, quickly entered the cultural imagination, shaping how alien encounters would be depicted in film, television, and literature for decades.

Presented alongside the Portsmouth Historical Society’s exhibition exploring the Hills’ story, NHAA’s Contemporary Currents brings together approximately 40 contemporary works that engage with themes of extraterrestrial encounters, space, and the powerful role of pop culture in shaping collective narratives. At the same time, the exhibition considers the idea of the “other”, inviting artists and viewers alike to reflect on alienation, curiosity, and the ways unfamiliar experiences can challenge our perceptions and expand our understanding of identity and belonging.