A unique double exhibition featuring Moonment by Sizhu Li and Hothouse by Rachel Youn brings life to their respective works through the implementation of movement and sound. Both installations are on view now through November 5 at Brick City Gallery.
New York-based installation artist Sizhu Li pulls inspiration from her Chinese heritage for Moonment. This immersive, site-specific project gets its name from a combination of the words “moon” and “moment,” as a collection of moving fans propel waves along ceiling-mounted metallic ribbons to mimic the motion of ocean waves. These waves are accompanied by a formation of a silver “beating heart” with rotating batons that rhythmically drum against the inside of the heart. The concept is inspired by Chinese poet Jiuling Zhang’s poem, “海上升明月，天涯共此时.” In it, the poem describes the connection felt between loved ones by sharing the view of the moonlight when the moon is above sea level, no matter how much physical distance separates them. Moonment is on display in Brick City’s West Gallery in Brick City Building 3. Slow Viewing for Moonment takes place Wednesday, October 27 at 4:30 PM.
Rachel Youn works out of St. Louis, Missouri, where they create sculpture and new media installations that take on themes such as societal norms and personal identity. With Hothouse, Rachel presents a kinetic, found-object installation piece that viewers can fully participate in by walking through the total atmosphere of the project. A multi-sensory experience is created through the combination of ambient colored lights, artificial plants set in motion, and a glimmering disco ball. The lights and leaves dance to a combination of disco music and Korean church audio, in an effort to find a crossover between the opposing worlds. Visitors can find Hothouse in the East Gallery, located in Brick City Building 4. The Slow Viewing night for Hothouse is October 13 at 4:30 PM.
Brick City Gallery is located at 215 W. Mill Street, Springfield, MO 65806. The galleries can be visited Monday–Friday 11 AM–6 PM and Saturday 11 AM–4 PM. Call 417-837-2330 for additional details. Please wear a mask and practice safe distancing when visiting the gallery.
Taylor Ladd is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art + Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University with professional interests in writing about art, culture, and food.