Projects
Elsewhere hosts 50+ new projects a year: from artworks to research, from events to extravaganzas, from residency works to collaborative upfits.
Guardian of Present Entries | Vickie Aravindhan
Vickie Aravindhan (Los Angeles, CA) | November 2021
This first iteration of the Yali (Hindu temple guardian) is made with collection wood. As it takes its shape and 'body', vitalized by the richness of Elsewhere's sociocultural history, the Yali's animacy in this case is activated by its role and duty as a guardian of the entry way to Elsewhere's living body. Yalis are mythological hybrid figures of the lion, elephant, griffin, and dragon, typically found in Hindu temple entry ways across India, South Asia and South East Asia. They are also commonly stolen as artifacts taken out of place and reinstated in museological contexts, with very little to no information of their beginnings. Considering all this, Vickie's hope is to introduce a familiar/guardian who has found its origin story here at Elsewhere to protect its peoples, histories, cultures and futures.
The Fabulous 2050s | Oree Holban
Oree Holban (Tel Aviv, Israel) | November 2021
"A miniature installation of a scene taking place in the 2050s: a meditative drive-in and a prom. The work would like to envision the 50s of the 21st century as times when people enjoy cultivating inner peace, thus live in better harmony with themselves and, as a result, also with one another. It is more than anything a call for a more wholesome, inclusive, non-dual, playful, and quiet world here and now - as past present future are one.
This work is part of an ongoing project/research of the artist whose work is very much inspired by nostalgic American 50s of the previous century, spiritual life in queer present time, and premonitions of the 2050s. The video piece of the non binary TV show ""The Wonderful Journey Inside"" is an example of such ongoing project, through which the artist imagines making such worlds and themes accessible also to children.
The audience is invited to participate by meditating with the other toys, watch TV (inside/outside), read a book from the library, play a record player for the toy folks at the prom, hang out, connect with the inner-child, make friends or simply stare in space without having to do anything special."