The following announcement was provided by Mosesian Center for the Arts:
At Mosesian Arts, artworks influenced by literature, mythology, fairy tales, and personal narratives are exhibited together to form a tribute to the written word.
“Entwined: Visual and Textual Narratives” will be on display from May 17 to June 21, with an opening reception on June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Mosesian Center for the Arts is excited to present an exhibition that finds inspiration in literature, the written word, folk tales, and tales of all kinds from fairy tales to narratives that are autobiographical or speak of the human condition. Visual arts have been inspired by the written word since antiquity. There are strong connections between literature and visual arts. Words paint pictures and artists interpret and / or are influenced by stories. The influence goes both ways, as stories are influenced by images as well. Poetry, novels, and song lyrics are often enhanced by images. Children books are made more vivid when accompanied by pictures. Album covers and music videos come to life when combined with visuals.
Adrienne Der Marderosian I, Too America is a part of series entitled, Tattoo Trails, that explores themes of memory, identity, and gender. The artist explains: “As an artist of Armenian descent, I heard personal accounts of my grandmother’s traumatic experiences during the Genocide of 1915. She impressed upon me the responsibility to tell her story and those of others who have experienced discrimination. This intimately scaled collage is meant to confront the monumental concerns facing our society and invites us to examine our attitudes toward repression, economic disparity, and social injustice.”
Ruth Henry’s hand-painted print Yolanda Varona: A Story Portrait is a tribute to Yolanda Varona. The artist creates a visual narrative of Varona’s life into her clothing. Varona first shared her story with the artist in an interview in preparation for a mural in her honor that Ruth created on the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Tijuana. As the founder of Dreamers’ Moms, Varona shared how she navigated the pain of being deported and separated from her children by mobilizing and advocating for other mothers who are going through similar situations. Viewers are invited to learn more about her at a QR code provided.
Erin Zerbe’s My Rusty Nail Moment is a glass art piece that explores the theme of quiet acceptance and moving on, drawing inspiration from a poignant excerpt in Ken Kesey’s novel “Sometimes a Great Notion.” The artist writes: “In this piece, I encapsulate handcrafted rusty nails within clear glass, inviting viewers to delve into the layers of symbolism intertwined with the materials and the narrative they evoke. At the heart of this artwork lies the significance of the rusty nail scene from Kesey’s novel, where the protagonist confronts the punishing and relentless climate of the Pacific Northwest. He opens a fresh box of nails to find they are already rusted. This is his breaking point, and he quietly leaves behind this way of life which has caused him so much misery. The rusty nail, with its weathered surface and enduring presence, becomes a potent symbol of realization—a quiet acknowledgment that some things will never change, no matter how much we may wish otherwise.”
In Tezin: A Haitian Tale of Family Relations and the Natural World, Johanna Finnegan- Topitzer finds inspiration in a Haitian folk tale that the artist describes as one showing us the darker side of family relationships and counsels us about destruction of the natural world. It is a tale filled with beauty: embodied in the main character and the natural environment.
“Entwined: Visual and Textual Narratives” is on display at the Mosesian Center for the Arts from May 17 – June 21. The opening reception will be held on June 6, 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
Entwined coincides with Our Stories: 2024 Annual Benefit & Mosesian Awards on Tuesday, May 21. The honorees are critically acclaimed novelist and screen writer Tom Perrotta and the team behind the Earfull Series showcasing authors and songwriters. More information can be found on the Mosesian Arts website.
The mission of The Mosesian Center for the Arts is to enrich the lives of diverse audiences and participants by providing exceptional experiences in theater, visual, and literary art. See more at: www.mosesianarts.org