Shift: Adapting with Change and Resilience
Art in a Time of War & Dear Ukraine: A Global Community Poem
“Shift: Adapting with Change and Resilience” demonstrates the power of art to inspire change and promote resilience in our society.
This is a collaborative effort between the Denison Museum and the Campus Sustainability Office and brings together the works of three international artists, Mulyana, Zinaida, and Shinji Turner-Yamamoto.
The “Shift” exhibition is not just a collection of art pieces but a catalyst for conversations about adaptation in an ever-shifting world. It represents diverse cultures and ideas. It is an opportunity for the community to engage with the concepts of change on a personal level.
As visitors explore the art on display, they are encouraged to participate in an “action wall.” They can share their thoughts and ideas about making our community more resilient. It’s a call to action that extends beyond the walls of the gallery.
It reminds us that the power to adapt and effect change lies within each of us.
IMAGO by Mulyana
Mulyana, an Indonesian artist, welcomes his audience with a visually stunning, immersive knitted seascape installation. The artist’s choice of vibrant colors and intricate craftsmanship draws viewers into a world teeming with life.
It is reminiscent of the blue ocean and coral reefs.
Mulyana’s work invites us to confront the issues of fast fashion and the impact of the textile industry on our oceans. As visitors delve deeper into the installation, they witness the gradual bleaching of the corals. This symbolizes the dire consequences of our actions on the natural world. This masterpiece serves as a powerful emblem, highlighting environmental concerns.
The Civilization of Chornobyl Lands: Rooted by Zinaida
Zinaida, a Ukrainian artist, presents her video project, “The Rooted 2.0,” a meticulously researched ethnography chronicling the lives of the Polishchuks, an ethnic group residing within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
This remarkable project delves into the resilient spirit of a community facing immense challenges.
The Polishchuks, neither fully Ukrainian nor Russian nor Polish, occupy a unique position in a region fraught with complexity. Zinaida’s lens captures their daily existence as they continue to live off the land, hunting, fishing, and gardening, despite the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster.
As if their lives weren’t complicated enough, the outbreak of war in 2022 further intensifies their predicament.
Through “The Rooted 2.0,” viewers get a glimpse into the multifaceted identities and histories of these individuals who persisted. Their story becomes a powerful testament to human determination in the face of challenges.
NATURALIA/ARTIFICIALIA: converging realms and archetypal arches by Shinji Turner-Yamamoto
Shinji Turner-Yamamoto, a Japanese artist now residing in the United States, presents sculptures that are both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating. His pieces contain fragments of natural elements, including 100-million-year-old porcelain, fossils, and minerals.
By dating the materials he employs, Turner-Yamamoto invites viewers to consider their profound connection to the Earth.
His sculptures are not mere aesthetics; they encourage introspection and meditation. In a world of sensory overload, his work provides a respite for reflection.
