Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities
A group exhibition of 12 regional, national, and international contemporary artists, Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities draws from themes that question society’s obsession with tradition, policing, consumption, and indulgence.
Inside the groundbreaking exhibition
Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities was a group exhibition of 12 regional, national, and international contemporary artists, at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center that first premiered in Fall 2018.
This exhibition draws from themes that question society’s obsession with tradition, policing, consumption, and indulgence. The featured artists had the opportunity to create spaces of joy, safety, healing, and care for humanity and the environment within the galleries at AWAACC.
From Familiar Boundaries Infinite Possibilities by Joey KennedyAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center
Flying Girls by Peju Alatise
The exhibit featured the North American premiere of Flying Girls by Nigerian artist Peju Alatise, which debuted at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
Sim, the flying girl
Alatise’s installation is based on the story of Sim, a young Yoruba girl who lives in two alternate worlds. In one world, she is a nine-year old girl whose family rents her out as a domestic servant in the city of Lagos.
From Familiar Boundaries Infinite Possibilities by Joey KennedyAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center
In the dream world Sim can fly at will and is surrounded by talking birds and butterflies in a place where shadows are her friends — a moonlit planet of escapism.
From Familiar Boundaries Infinite Possibilities by Joey KennedyAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center
Flying Girls is a little safe space where girls can be children.
From Familiar Boundaries Infinite Possibilities by Joey KennedyAugust Wilson African American Cultural Center
Shikeith
"Revisions, or standing where the deep waters of everything backed up"
"Revisions, or standing where the deep waters of everything backed up" is a one-of-a-kind sculpture created from blown and cast glass, made in participation with the Pittsburgh Glass Center.
"Black male figure’s blue, glass-blown “reflection” runs twice as deep as he is tall." - Preston Pavlis
“We recognize the ever-changing landscape of our society and we aim to keep up and continue those important conversations” says AWAACC President and CEO Janis Burley Wilson. “Through Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities, our goal is to not only give esteemed artists a platform, but open channels for dialog within our community.”
Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities was presented by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and generously supported by the Fine Foundation, Arts, Equity, & Education Fund, The Heinz Endowments, Eden Hall Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation. Visit aacc-awc.org for more.
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