Antiprism
Curated by Prachi Khandekar
2019
Waterfront, Toronto
- art of the exhibit Flight Mode, curated and commissioned by Prachi Khandekar, shown alongside Hagop Ohannessien. Built with support from many dear friends, with special thanks to Mike Yam, Louis Lim, and Naveed Khan, with funding from the OAC, through SAVAC
An “antiprism” is a triangular prism that is twisted upon itself. Its dynamic form and ability to manipulate light embodies the idea that things are relative, unstable... whereas a prism disperses light, an antiprism disperses, then re-focuses it.
The project was part of the “Flight Mode” exhibition on Toronto’s waterfront, curated by Prachi Khandekar, and taking place alongside the inaugural Toronto Bienniale of Art. Workshops and talks were hosted in the Sidewalk Labs office next door...
Two immersive installations housed in shipping containers (the other container containing artwork by Hagop Ohannessian) invited visitors to reflect on what we readily give up in pursuit of constant connectivity (via technological devices).
The containers were placed on a parking lot under the gardiner, amidst industrial vehicles and old silos - a rough area.
Antiprism consisted of 2 mirror image spaces. Visitors begin by entering through one end into a brightly lit, stark white entryway, that shocks their retina and contrasts starkly with the surrounding site. This prepares them for an unexpected experience, and represents a mind that is overwhelmed with inputs, goes blank, numb.
Upon removing their shoes and stepping into the cushioned floor, visitors are funnelled into a low curtained doorway, to emerge out the other side... a larger mirror image space that is warm with pastel colours, filled with calming ambient music, and hanging textiles gently swaying in the wind.
The space is a sensory environment that is activated through their movement - the lights in the prisms and on the walls change colour, in subtle ways, based on pressure sensors on the floor.
The colours of the space represent the many multitudes of inputs, thoughts, reflections, in one’s mind. In our busy world, the never ending fluctuations of new thoughts and feelings can feel overwhelming. But the exhibition offers an invitation to softly accept, embrace, and learn to coexist with these complexities. Prompts written throughout the space encourage visitors to let loose and try out movement meditation, ground themselves in their bodies, as a way of practicing playfulness, going with the flow, and dancing with the complexities.
With so little time in our hustle culture to tend to our needs, to listen to our bodies, the installation sought to be a reminder of the palpable impacts that our environments have on us, that we can have on our environments. That we can step into an unassuming shipping container in a derelect parking lot into a space like this reminds visitors about the importance of context, of perspective, and of the importance of giving yourself the space you need.
Photos & Videos
Remi Carreiro
Lily Jeon
Links
Flight Mode Exhibition Catalogue
Prachi Khandekar
SAVAC - South Asian Visual Artists Collective
@flightmode_exhibit
Canadian Architect