LOS ANGELES — Invisibility: Powers & Perils at Oxy Arts at Occidental College delves into the implications of the unseen. Curated by Yael Lipschutz, the exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists exploring the concept of invisibility through various lenses. From the first edition of Ralph Ellison’s seminal work Invisible Man to contemporary video installations and scent-based artworks, the show offers a multifaceted exploration of what it means to be unseen.
The exhibition kicks off with a focus on Black identity and invisibility, with works like Sondra Perry’s two-channel video projection that examines the impact of invisibility on Black individuals. As visitors move through the gallery, they encounter a range of works that touch on themes such as technology, encryption, data, and extinction in the natural world. While each work is powerful on its own, the overall collection can feel disjointed, lacking a cohesive narrative thread.
Two standout pieces by Black artists in the exhibition are Tavares Strachan’s “The Encyclopedia of Invisibility” and Sondra Perry’s “Double Quadruple Negative Etcetera I & II.” Strachan’s monumental tome delves into intangible sensations and overlooked histories, while Perry’s video installation challenges notions of identity and representation in the digital age.
The exhibition also features works that address the climate crisis, such as Katie Paterson’s “To Burn, Forest, Fire,” which uses bespoke incense sticks to evoke the scents of endangered ecosystems. These works serve as a reminder of the urgent need to address environmental issues and the potential consequences of invisibility in the natural world.
While the exhibition raises thought-provoking questions about racial, technological, and ecological invisibility, it leaves viewers wanting more. The diverse range of artworks invites further exploration and reflection on the complex interplay between visibility and invisibility in our society.
Invisibility: Powers & Perils is part of the Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative and is on view at Oxy Arts at Occidental College until February 22. Curated by Yael Lipschutz, the exhibition offers a unique perspective on the concept of invisibility and its implications in our contemporary world.
