Openness and Well-being

The increase of political polarization and ideological disagreement may cause individuals to experience toxicity. Indeed, 87% of Americans perceived political polarization as threatening. Fortunately, academic scholars found that activities such as dialogue and writing could heal anxiety and toxicity in an adversarial environment. Art is a great communication for individuals’ emotions to engage constructively. Based on an ASU survey, the more open we are, the more willing to participate in well-being activities. Arts inspire viewers to think from different perspectives. In line with the influence of artworks and research findings at ASU, Openness and Well-being aims to create a space to share artists’ thoughts and interact with viewers through arts by Yuna Kim, Jiyoung Yu and Kristin Bauer.

The artworks in the exhibition allow viewers to have more openness to diversity. Yuna Kim has created interactive artwork, the Book project. She sewed different handmade paper pieces together in unexpected ways and let viewers physically manipulate them and experience feelings of vulnerability. She challenges viewers to experience the meaning of interdependence. Through the process of discussing with others how to read the books, participants can think about how to communicate better and manifest joyous connectivity. Blanket is a symbolic object of attachment to the mother. In the process of creating Blanket, she discovered her roots and identities and understood more about her mother and culture. I hope this feeling can be conveyed to viewers. 

Jiyoung Yu provides the opportunity to think about interdependence with three artworks from Look at Me Series. She used common objects with miniature clayed people to present how the objects can be interpreted differently. The upcycled objects, such as masks, could be controversial by polarized groups, but they can be understood outside of their context. This artwork allows viewers to consider complex topics in an entertaining way. 

The exhibition shows four artworks from Kristin Bauer’s Assemblage Paintings Series. Based on her background as an art therapist, her artwork contains a combination of thought-provoking texts and images. Inspired by making puzzles, her pieces are designed to have mobility and modularity, instead of being fixed. She considers arts to be the agent to deliver a political and philosophical discourse. She intentionally makes indefinite sentences and blanks as interactive activities to create dialogue. 

A dialogue begins with acknowledging differences, having interests, and being open to diverse responses. Kim’s artworks allow viewers to interact with each other. Yu’s artwork gives an opportunity for viewers to see mundane objects in different ways. Bauer’s artworks let viewers think of different stances by using incomplete phrases. This exhibition includes mixed media arts through digital, clay, and installation mediums to enhance interactivity.

Opening Reception: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Image credit: Yuna Kim, Book Project