Explosion Of Feelings — Vancouver Art Community

Last week I kicked off my 2021 museum expenditures at the Polygon Museum to check out their 4 exhibits currently on display. When I arrived, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard about the different works featured but wondered how they would make me feel. As I made my way through the exhibits, I had an explosion of feelings. I began at the bottom with MESH, which was curated by Rebecca Morse, and included art from Izabella Provan and Gregory Kaplowitz. I liked how the colors and patterns of Gregory’s textiles, which were made with photographic chemicals and dye, contrasted the poetic black and white images taken by Izabelle that lead you wanting more. Seeing these works left me inspired and made me think about what more I could do when taking pictures and what cool effects I could create in the darkroom to tell a story through my images.

When I arrived upstairs, I came in contact with the photographs, infamous balloons and work of Christopher Lacroix – A pot lid for the sky, which evoked feelings of doubt, confusion and truth. Perhaps it is just my experience as a graduate student and a photographer but I felt that this exhibit was very telling of the power/value we give intangible objects, such as words, and tangible objects, such as degrees, and how these objects can impact our lives. Christopher shares his personal experiences and makes us question the whole idea of obtaining a degree in art– well, ok you have a degree in art so you are an artist? But is that always the case? What makes art art? What makes people artists? I could continue with all the questions I had however I think each of you should engage with his work and then share your feelings. The only thing I can say is that his piece that took center stage “Baby we made it” balloons was telling. I had seen many posts of the balloons in full form however when I arrived, the helium had dyed out, the words were no longer words but mere letters clustered together, floating and falling. Did we make it? Make it through what? A year, a pandemic, a struggle, life?

Afterwards I saw Miradas Alternas, which used a photographic lens, video and journalism to tell the story of the violence against women that has ensued in Mexico. The works presented were a compilation of female artists including Juliana Alvarado, Alejandra Aragón, Koral Carballo, Mariceu Erthal and Sonia Madrigal and was curated by Andrea Sanchez Ibarrola. This exhibit speaks volumes about the struggles and horrors women have faced in Mexico and the stories that need justice. I was moved by this in many ways especially as a Latina. Since I have moved to Vancouver, I have rarely had the opportunity to see art from Latin/Hispanic female artists, and I was very grateful that these works were displayed at the Polygon. For example, Mariceau’s photographs Letters to Gemma retold a story of a victim of disappearance and were so detailed and powerful. In addition, I think the stories told, although sad, are a depiction of a reality that continues to be ignored and it is time we open our eyes, ears and hearts to what is happening around us. I will say that this exhibit was different than that of Lacroix, which was right next to it however please be reminded that they were both curated by different people and are therefore not necessarily intended to be weaved together. So if you visit the Polygon and go upstairs, perhaps you should start with Miradas Alternas or end with it. Either way it is a must see!

Lastly I walked back through Christopher Lacroix and then over to the fourth installation - Everything Leaks by Marisa Kriangwiwat Holmes and Maya Beaudry. This collection was curated by Justin Ramsey who also curated Lacroix’s work. In this collection, Marisa and Maya used photographs and different materials such as metal, fabric and paper to comment on the world we live in that is overloaded with information and demonstrate how photography has seeped into our lives. I absolutely loved their interpretation of photography and how photography itself is an example of a leak of light that imprints upon film or a digital format to present an image we have selected and try to control. Of course, we can only control so much when we take a picture, make art and then present it to our audience. The ways in which Maya and Marisa compiled each piece are impressive and a picture does not do them justice.

Overall I had an explosion of feelings from the 4 installations including that of curiosity, hope, doubt, sadness and inspiration. There were no low points but there were definitely shifts in perspectives and moods. It got me to think more about my role as a photographer, how I shoot my work and what stories I am trying to tell. I recommend you see them before they are gone. MESH will run until January 17th, whereas the other three will be available until February 7th.

Thank you once again to the Polygon Museum and to Johnathan for taking the time to talk with me about the exhibit and engage in discussion about the pieces displayed. As always, I look forward to what’s to come at the Polygon.

Written by: Liza Navarro

Photographs by: Liza Navarro @lizanav.photo