Currently open through most of April 2024 at the Annex of Dido Haas’ Nitroglobus Roof Gallery is Event Horizons, a series of abstract art pieces by Kirjat Umarov.
The title of the exhibition draws directly on the astrophysical phenomenon defining a boundary beyond which events cannot affect an observer. Coined in 1950 by the Austrian physicist Wolfgang Rindler, it’s a term most commonly associated with black holes, celestials object so dense that no nearby matter or radiation can escape their gravitational influence. Most often, if rather simplistically, the event horizon is defined as the boundary within which black hole’s escape velocity is greater than the speed of light, and so light itself cannot escape it, and thus we cannot know what actually occurs on the other side of the boundary, we can only theorise.
Given that Kirjat’s work and studies encompass the theology of Christianity, religious iconography and thematic devices which might be considered as representations of an “unknowable God” (as well as touching on art history and philosophy and the human condition), the title of the exhibition is well chosen, inviting us to try to look beyond the surface presentation of the 16 images presented around the walls of the Annex (one being a triptych, and as such counts as a single piece), and consider their potential meaning and interpretation – or, as Dido states in her liner notes for the piece – allow ourselves to be drawn ever closer to the event horizon of each piece as we ponder its meaning and potential for interpretation.
Some of the pieces would appear to reflect current world events – perhaps most obviously Peace Glory Honour, referencing as it does the people of Ukraine as they face the aggression foisted upon them by Russia; together with Outbreak, which might be seen as a reference to the continued threat of pandemics in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (COVID-19), which might also lead to thoughts of the risk of such outbreaks spreading unnecessarily through people foolhardy ability to accept conspiracy theories over scientific fact.
Others with the set offer reflections on religion – some perhaps more obviously than others when going purely by their titles. I was drawn to Dekalogos, with its open invitation to consider the Ten Commandments both through its title and the presentation of its 10 symbols. More particularly, Hilasterion and The Holy Curtain gained my attention, each encouraging cogitations on the nature of the Ark of the Covenant, the “Holy of Holies” and the nature of God as portrayed via the Old Testament. Additionally, Hilasterion led me to thoughts of expiation and atonement and thus to reflections on the nature of Christ as a person and as a religious symbol – something that is today particularly relevant given the rise of the religious Right and their persistent misrepresentation of Christ spiritually, philosophically and physically.
But, as always, these are just my subjective thoughts and reactions – yours most likely will be different; which is fine Event Horizons is an individualistically expressive range of abstracts; a series both open to interpretation and, should you opt to purchase any, well suited to display within any SL home.
SLurl Details
- The Annex at Nitroglobus (Sunshine Homestead, rated Moderate)
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