I walked through the UMOCA and I couldn't believe I had never been before. It was such a fun museum. I loved spending time there. At first I didn't feel very intrigued by the pieces but as I spent more time pondering the exhibits I became more impressed. I chose a particular section to spend some time in and it was the Sehnsucht exhibit by Cara Krebs. Sitting in the center of the space were seven crystallized jello bundt cakes, displayed on silver bakery displays. Their iridescent blue-green color drew me in, as well as the curiosity of knowing if they are real jello (they are not, sorry to disappoint). Moving around the room the viewer is introduced to large mixed media pieces mounted straight onto the wall. They are each in the shape of a ‘blob,’ or something that an alien would design. At first glance, they are reminiscent of a drop of water resting on a table. Everything inside the drop is enlarged, unrecognizable and well, watery. Each of the watery scenes feel as if the viewer has swimming goggles on and is dipping their face into a river to get a good look at what’s lurking under the surface.
The final piece that was my absolute favorite was located at the back of the space, down another short hallway. We find that this piece is the source of the quiet clicking sound heard throughout the exhibit. The room is lit up by a soft yellow light. The light plays along the wall as if the viewed is under water. In the middle of the space there is a small air pouch resting on a white platform. The scene inside of the pouch is of a cave. The point of view is looking out through the cave at what looks like a jungle bungalow. This water theme sparks a connection to the other glass molds in the front room. As the viewer looks up they find a transparent container holding water with lights shining through it. These create the light movements that we see on the walls and floor. With closer inspection we find an animated stick rolling back and forth repeatedly on the platform of water. The stick moves back and forth controlled by a lever that we cannot see. This creates an ethereal feeling that the stick is alive and moving on its own. The stick creates a calming clinking sound that is what we hear echoing throughout the exhibition. The entire exhibit feels very tranquil and calm.
There were many subtle elements that led me into a slightly skewed reality. The paradoxical worlds flitter between each other with unrecognizable scenes and instantly familiar objects. I read that the artist, Cara Krebs intentionally created these paradoxes to lead the viewer into a subtle fantasy state. The juxtaposition is a little jarring but not entirely uncomfortable. Being submerged underwater is calming, at least for most people. When we are underwater things seem to run in slow motion, which can feel a bit alien. I really liked it though. It made me want to go swim in an ocean somewhere. I felt very reflective. She included this quote in her exhibit description: “Sehnsucht: “the inconsolable longing in the human heart for we know not what; a yearning for a far, familiar, non-earthly land one can identify as one’s home.” The transitional flow of Sehnsucht was smooth and effortless. Each piece contributed its own individual narrative to the work as a whole. Krebs’ work in the entire show was successfully aligned with her artistic intentions. The exhibition was not just a display of objects and paintings, it was an out of body and mind experience that swept me up into a tranquil state.
an interview with the artist!
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