Guests enjoyed the diverse, inspiring viewpoint of director Chantal Akerman at the exhibition Moving Through Time and Space, held Friday at Blaffer Gallery.
Akerman’s exhibition consists of five creative and insightful film projects titled "From the East: Bordering on Fiction" (1995), "South" (1999), "From the Other Side" (2002), "Down There" (2006) and "Women from Antwerp in November" (2007).
Women from Antwerp in November is a stunning expos’eacute; of women’s fascination with the cigarette. This project consists of two collages of various females wandering through the gritty streets of Europe. It’s impressive to see such a mundane activity be so psychologically intriguing.
"Down There" is another exceptionally fascinating project representing Akerman’s days and nights in Tel Aviv, Israel. It’s also a display of her emotions associated with her Jewish identity and visiting Israel. She sees everyday Israeli life through the bamboo blinds of her apartment.
All of the exhibits are remarkable works of film and visual art that touch on various subjects including immigration, racism and nationalism.
"South" is touching because a large part of it is filmed in a church portraying the people of Jasper, Texas’ reaction to the killing of James Byrd Jr. on June 7, 1998. Through their sorrow, the people sang songs to God.
The projects dealing with the controversial subject of immigration are nothing less than mentally stimulating.
They portray the struggles that Mexican immigrants endure on their way to our country. They also challenge the beliefs that some may hold because they portray what the average person doesn’t see or even may not know or take into consideration about the treacherous journey to the land of opportunity. Akerman even narrates in Spanish.
These thought-provoking works of art are nothing short of brilliant in their portrayal of life including both the beauty and the tragedy that is endured throughout the world and the diverse populations inhabiting it. Her focus on different cultures helps to increase awareness on such issues.
The scenes of one film showed Mexican immigrants camping outside the border between the U.S. and Mexico border. Others hitchhiked. Their clothes were dirty, and they appeared to be dehydrated. There was also another film that showed a Mexican family gathered around a table thanking God for a meal that they were about to eat. They said they came to this country with very little to make a better life for themselves. It was extremely moving.
Moving Through Time and Space is an exhibition that must be seen. It stands out from typical modern art in a good way with the powerful messages it presents.
Akerman’s exhibition is free and runs through March 29.
