As a connoisseur of art, I have traversed many galleries and exhibitions, but none have left such an indelible impression as “When the Veil Thins” at Compound in Long Beach. This exhibition is a testament to human resilience, creativity born from adversity, and the profound beauty that emerges from pain.
Life’s hardships can sometimes serve as valuable lessons. For Frida Kahlo, the near-fatal bus accident and her tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera often shaped the themes of physical torment and emotional distress she expressed in her self-portraits, like in “The Broken Column” (1944). Similarly, El Anatsui, a Ghanaian sculptor who recently showcased a towering sculpture made from bottle caps at the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, continues to use discarded materials to symbolically delve into post-colonial histories and the traumas inflicted by past empires.
In the mind, there’s an unseen boundary between pain and creativity, a spiritual condition that forms the basis for a fresh group show titled “When the Veil Thins” at Compound in Long Beach. Curated by artist Tofer Chin and his partner Mari Orkenyi, who is a mindfulness writer and educator, this exhibition gathers films, paintings, sculptures, and installations from a wide array of artists such as Amir H. Fallah, Analia Saban, Aryana Minai, Jamal Gunn Becker, Mia Weiner, Mike Nesbit, Molly Haynes, Shaniqwa Jarvis, Thomas Linder, and Todd Tourso.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Compound Long Beach (@compoundlbc)
At the heart of this exhibition, there’s a pondering: “What constitutes us?” Instead of his typical sparse pieces, Chin offers “THERE IS ANOTHER WORLD, AND IT IS IN THIS ONE“, an independent installation crafted from four scorched cedar wood fences surrounding a heap of barren soil – symbolically challenging LA’s urban growth while disrupting the notions of domesticity and safety. Amir H. Fallah, an Iranian-American artist based in LA, paints vibrant works that blend Persian and Western images, such as basketball culture with the struggles faced by Iranian women since the 1979 revolution, in a manner reminiscent of Persian miniature art.
Todd Tourso’s film installation called Paradise delves into the topic of Mexico’s indigenous communities enduring death, renewal, and persistence due to foreign interference. Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Compound, Roksana Pirouzmand’s sculpture titled Until All Is Dissolved, represents the human body transforming into landscapes that shift with each season, showcasing a sense of impermanence. A statement issued by Chin and Orkenyi explains that the idea of the veil becoming thinner is deeply rooted in numerous cultural and religious perspectives, representing a state where the boundary between our physical world and spiritual realm blurs. They are intrigued by what occurs when the veil vanishes completely, and how art enables us to traverse this liminal space that lies beyond our usual reach.
Alongside the exhibit, you’ll find a catalog showcasing the artworks created by LA-based studio Forth + Back. If you’re in Southern California, the exhibition titled “When the Veil Thins” can be seen in Long Beach until January 12, 2025.
Compound
1395 Coronado Ave,
Long Beach, CA 90804
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-01 22:26