The gallery show I recently staged didn’t have an opening night, a guest list, or a wine budget. It lasted exactly sixty seconds. And in many ways, it may be the most honest exhibition I’ve ever produced.
This short video showcases a specially staged gallery installation designed for my MFA portfolio submission to the University of Delaware. While it primarily serves as documentation, at its heart, it represents a condensed glimpse into a much broader exploration—one that has been evolving under the inspiring title Kinetic Becoming – The Beginning.
The installation beautifully combines three unique pieces: four wall-mounted facial feature panels (eye, ear, nose, mouth), a collection of five freeform sculptural pieces, and two larger works that explore themes of structure and construction. Each part has its own special story, yet they all come together to create a warm dialogue about perception, assembly, and the wonderfully imperfect process of becoming something new.
I decided to present the work as a gallery show rather than just photographing each piece on its own because context truly enhances understanding. Sculpture isn’t merely a standalone object; it’s about how it exists within space. The way a sculpture is positioned on the wall, how different pieces relate to each other, and how your eye transitions from one form to another—these details are carefully thought out, just like the shapes themselves. The video helped me shape that experience, even if only for a moment.
Sixty seconds is not much time. That limitation was deliberate.
In traditional exhibitions, viewers might spend a lot of time exploring—or they might move on quickly. In this experience, the pacing is set for you. The camera acts as your eye, guiding what you see, when you see it, and for how long. There’s no room to hide behind explanations. The artwork needs to communicate its message promptly, clearly, and genuinely, inviting you to connect deeply without any distractions.
Imperfections are intentionally left in, including visible tool marks and unresolved edges, showcasing the raw authenticity of the work. Assemblies openly display their process and logic without hiding it. This project emphasizes exposure and exploration over perfection; these pieces serve as conceptual sketches rather than final conclusions. They capture a process of questioning and discovery, expressed through clay instead of polished stone.
Sound plays a gentle yet vital part in the video. It weaves a sense of movement and continuity, reminding us that these objects are not just fixed points, but part of an ongoing journey. The work remains alive and in motion, even when fired.
For MFA reviewers, this video serves as a virtual studio visit. It offers a glimpse into how I think about space, how I organize my work, and how my conceptual ideas weave through different forms. But beyond just the application, this video represents a meaningful milestone for me. It signifies closing one chapter and warmly stepping into a new one.
Kinetic Becoming – The Beginning truly marked an exciting start. It was a heartfelt return to clay, structure, and hands-on problem-solving after years immersed in digital and design-focused work. This gallery video isn’t about showcasing mastery; it’s about celebrating dedication—to the process, willingness to take risks, and embracing discomfort long enough for something truly meaningful to unfold.
Sixty seconds isn’t long. But sometimes that’s all you need to say: This is where I am. This is how I work. And this is only the beginning.
