In Dialogue
The Essence of a Moment, a group exhibition presenting a collection of artists’ contemplations on the makings of a moment. A moment is by its nature fleeting, and it’s by our nature as people that we seek to extend or preserve them; despite their intangibility. This group show engages with the questions – How can one define something as nebulous as a moment? Is it done retrospectively after it has passed? Is it a confluence of occurrences? Or perhaps it exists with the body’s perception of the present moment? These works offer a variety of insights and perspectives into understanding a moment.
Tell us about the genesis of this show.
This show started out as a realization of how fleeting and different a moment can be to so many people. I have worked with every artist in this show in one way or another, through Pratt or other projects. I was able to watch each artist’s work evolve over 2 or more years, and I have always wanted to show their works alongside each other, so when Vida offered me the gallery and the month of August to pull a show together, we were off.
What is the curatorial idea behind it?
I wanted the show to be both connected but open at the same time. Each artist’s works are intertwined and connected with each other in some way, and many ways require viewers to fully experience the works.
Please guide us through – what will we see?
Within the show, you will see each artist organized in their own section, depicting their individual takes on a moment. Priyanka Deyoffer and I exhibit meditative works that induce an awareness of the viewer’s presence in their tranquility. Through the abstract quality of these works, the viewer becomes a participant in the artist’s reflection on a moment that is both personal and universal.
The works by Daniel Bottcher and Lucille Lindberg are more direct in their allusions, drawing from personal memory.
Ella Jackson presents the body in its grotesque form, as mutable and continuous, stretching and moving as if to accommodate the enormity of the senses. This increased sense of self is supported by identification with another person. A shared awareness. Adyn Prentice’s work validates one’s own identity through the confirmation of existence through moments of intimacy and connection.
Kylie McLaughlin’s vignettes of natural life posed taxidermied animals in oppressive manmade structures. Moments of natural splendor are recreated through meticulous manipulation.
And in Jude Larson’sworks, which are instantly recognizable, her subjects are a result of an image that has been replicated too many times, it becomes warped and distorted, but remains resolutely recognizable.
You curate and participate in the show. How did that work for you?
It was a great learning experience. Shifting between artist and curator required me to see not only my pieces but the full vision of the show, and think in advance of most things. I learned to be adaptable quickly and that community is very important. Without the artists standing by me, our amazing press release writer, Tess, the Pratt community, IW Gallery, and everything coming together, this vision might not have made it on the walls. The artists all helped build the show, follow up with logistics, and bring works they love to activate the space and tell a wonderful story. As a curator, I am honored to show them, to give them an opportunity to share their stories and visions, and as an artist, I am truly grateful to show alongside them. It is a show of friendship, community, experiences, and moments in painting.
All photos courtesy of Taylor Bielecki
Essence of a Moment, August 8th to August 29th, Tuesdays 1-6 or by appt. (Gallery sitting still TBD), the IW Gallery, 630 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, New York, @iwgallery
Featured artists: Ella Jackson, Adyn Prentice, Kylie McLaughlin, Daniel Bottcher, Jude Larson, Priyanka Dey, Taylor Bielecki, Lucille, LIndburg
Curated by Taylor Bielecki
About the curator/artist: Taylor Bielecki lives in Gowanus, where her studio is, and works at Pratt Institute, where she earned her MFA, she also studied at Penn State, where she earned a BA in English and a BFA in Fine Arts. She finished as a finalist in the Kennedy Center’s 2017 VSA National Emerging Young Artist program. She has shown prints internationally in a print exchange in Australia and exhibitions in Dubai, India and the Glasgow School of Art. She has also shown paintings internationally in Gallery 24N, PhilaMOCA’s in Philadelphia, Pa., Perry Lawson Fine Art in Nyack, NY, BWAC in Red Hook, the 2025 Zero Art Fair in Chelsea, IW Gallery in Brooklyn, and Greenpoint Gallery. Taylor writes for Art Spiel as a contributing writer and also contributes periodically to TUSSLE Magazine.