“Towards Luminescence: Radiant Frisson | a citizen’s statement”
A two-part exhibition featuring work by Chicago artists Mayumi Lake and Stacia Yeapanis
curated by FlexSpace Director, Liz Chilsen
May 18 – June 26, 2020
Part 1 Mayumi Lake: Radiant Frission, May 18th – June 7, 2020.
* Artist Talk July 11, 2020. 2-3 PM a virtual conversation with Mayumi Lake.
Enjoy this virtual visit to Mayumi’s studio; “Alone With Materials“.
FlexSpace offers the exhibit as a form of healing; a turn toward luminescence and repair. During this unique time when each of us is called upon to be both self-protecting and altruistic, maintaining active lives within quarantine, this show provides two unique visions of the potential for hopefulness within the dark.
Mayumi Lake’s Radiant Frisson had both daytime and nighttime viewing options.
8:00am – midnight – the works are activated
5:00pm – midnight – Disco-ball and LED light show
Description
Exploring the idea of Awareness of Impermanence (Mono-no-Aware) and childhood phobia, my work is continually floating between the real and imaginary, East and West, longing and hope, memories and oblivion, past and future.
Inspired by Housouge, mythical flowers that ancient Japanese adored to ease their despair from political chaos and natural disasters, “Unison” series is comprised of photographic sculptures, consisting of layers of hand-cut photo-paper floral motifs directly scanned from discarded antique kimonos and objects that symbolize the shiny Western culture that I craved. The bigger my fear of an uncertain future, the more immersive my flowers become, echoing ancient Housouge.
For Art-In-Place initiation features colorful, spirited floral sculpture Unison (Radiant Frisson) and Unison (Typecasting) within a bedazzling installation of light.
Mayumi Lake (b. Osaka, Japan) is an interdisciplinary artist, whose work delves into childhood and pubescent dreams, phobia and desires. She employs herself and others as her models, as well as dolls, toys, weapons, vintage clothes, and altered landscapes as her props.
View a short Video clip here: Mayumi Lake Radiant Frisson on YouTub
Mayumi Lake Towards Luminescence | Radiant Frisson
Support Art-In-Place fundraising for Illinois artists. Click image for more info.
Part 2 a citizen’s statement, June 14 – June 26, 2020. *
Part 2 has been changed by the artist who chose to make a statement as a citizen vs installing an artwork.
The artist’s statement appearing in the FlexSpace window is:
“This is not an artwork. The artwork that was scheduled to be in this window is not relevant at this moment in time. The artist has chosen to use the space offered to display her work to instead make a statement as a citizen. Black Lives Matter.”
The exhibition is viewable from the street, while the galleries remain closed.
FlexSpace initiated this two-part exhibit as an offering of healing; a turn toward luminescence and repair during the pandemic which calls on us to be both self-protecting and altruistic. The second half of the exhibit is not what had been planned. The artist chose to make a statement as a citizen, listening to calls for justice following the killing of George Floyd, vs installing an artwork.
The exhibition provides two unique visions of humanity and compassion.