Thresholds (my solo exhibition) is Open!
The show is up, and I'm still processing the weekend.
Installation day was eight hours of hauling, hanging, adjusting, and hoping, and being a little bit hangry. By the time the doors opened, I was running on adrenaline and probably too much coffee. But people showed up, really showed up. Members of the Southern Utah Art Guild, familiar faces from the Kayenta community, family, friends, and people I'd never met who wandered in and stayed longer than I expected.
My 93 year old grandma, who’s husband’s, (my grandpa) passing, inspired the creation of The Meeting Place, attended along with other family members. Whom I am deeply grateful for their presence. And friends who believe in me wanted to show their support.
What I didn't anticipate was how many conversations I'd have. People wanted to talk about how the pieces made them feel, which ones made them stop and look a little closer, what it's actually like to work with resin and fiber optic lighting, why I choose crystals, why I work with preserved botanicals. Everyone would stop and share with each other which piece was their favorite and why. I loved every single one of those conversations. That's the part of showing work that can't happen online.
Some had interpretations of their own that weren’t my intention. But that’s one of the things I love about abstract art. The meaning isn’t definitive. You can make it what you want.
And then someone suggested we turn down the gallery lights.
Here's the thing about fiber optic work, you think you're seeing it in bright light, but you're not. Not really. The moment the lights went down, the room changed. Every piece that had been quietly glowing became something else entirely. People were surprised in the way you only get surprised when something genuinely exceeds your expectation.
It’s a little bit like the sky. The stars are still there during the day time. But the darkness really gives you a new perspective.
It's a little funny, honestly. Galleries are supposed to be bright. You're supposed to want more light. The work of Thresholds wants less.
If you missed the opening, or you came and want to experience the collection again the way it actually wants to be seen, come to my artist talk on June 19th. After the talk and short film screening, it’ll be dark enough and we'll dim the lights. You'll see what I mean.
Tickets start at $10, and you can buy them here.
I’m so thankful for Kayenta and their dedication to helping artists thrive in our Southern Utah desert. And for them allowing me the space to exhibit, and their patience with helping me set up and deal with all the technicalities that come with a display that involves more than the standard of simply hanging art on the wall!
The show runs through June 30th at Center for the Arts Kayenta, 881 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, Utah. All ten pieces are available, and I'm always happy to talk about what it would mean to bring one home.
Addison Kanoelani and her grandmother in front of the Thresholds display
Frames for paintings: The Descent and Body of Starlight were provided by Arte Gallery and Framing.
