In a striking new exhibition at Gagosian Beverly Hills, renowned mixed-media artist Sarah Sze presents ‘Feel Free,’ a collection of just 13 pieces—11 art objects and two video installations—that challenge viewers to navigate the complex interplay between perception and reality. Running until 28 February, the show invites audiences to engage with Sze’s intricate landscapes, which reflect both her personal experiences and the broader existential questions posed by our image-saturated society.
A Thought-Provoking Experience
Sze’s latest showcase is anything but ordinary. Despite its relatively small scale, the exhibition delivers a profound impact through its carefully curated pieces, the largest measuring an impressive 8ft by 16ft. The artist’s astute spatial arrangement enhances the viewer’s experience, creating a sense of journeying through her work. “I’m always interested in talking with architecture and planning out how you can have an experience that unravels over time,” Sze shared during a recent video interview, emphasising her commitment to immersive engagement.
Her artistry, long celebrated for its collage-like quality, now sees her reimagining landscapes in a manner that feels both recognisable and refreshingly innovative. “I wanted there to be just enough so that you’re constantly reading it as a landscape, but you’re still having to put it together,” Sze explained. The result is a body of work that invites contemplation while simultaneously challenging viewers to find their footing within the shifting visual terrain.
The Intersection of Art and Anxiety
In an era marked by the relentless influx of images and information—exacerbated by the rise of deepfakes and misinformation—Sze’s work resonates with a palpable sense of disorientation. “I feel like we’ve become so preoccupied with images outside of our eyes. How do we place ourselves in a world that constantly feels like it’s shifting all the time?” she pondered. Her intention is to provoke an active engagement, urging viewers to seek orientation amid the chaos of contemporary life.
The six paintings in the exhibition are awash in the soft hues of twilight and dawn—ultramarines, lavenders, and pastel yellows punctuated by bursts of light reminiscent of distant stars. Subtle details, such as hands splayed over a deck of cards and the fleeting shadow of a fox, imbue the works with a sense of life and movement. Sze aims to create a space where viewers feel the tension between disorientation and clarity. “A work of art is finished when everything teeters. I want this idea of the perfect tension, where everything is on a tightrope,” she remarked.
Personal Narratives in ‘Sleepers’
Among the two video installations featured, ‘Sleepers’ stands out as a deeply personal reflection. Sze draws from two contrasting experiences: the traumatic memory of a near-drowning incident and the tender intimacy of watching her daughters sleep. The piece is grounded by Sze’s own recorded breath, a haunting reminder of her struggle for survival. “The idea that your body can talk to you is important for that piece,” she reflected, illuminating the connection between physical experience and emotional depth.
Visually, ‘Sleepers’ captures the essence of motherhood, portraying the bittersweet nature of watching children grow up too quickly. As Sze describes, “There’s a kind of real intimacy and tenderness when you see someone else asleep,” highlighting the vulnerability inherent in such moments and the ineffable distance that can exist between a parent and child.
A Call to Re-examine Our Visual Culture
Sze’s exploration extends beyond her own experiences; she aims to provoke a re-evaluation of how we perceive the barrage of images that dominate our lives. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century pioneers Eadweard Muybridge and Étienne-Jules Marey, Sze considers how their studies of motion reshaped our understanding of the world. “I think it’s a really interesting idea that art can be a tool for sharpening the way we see the world,” she mused, underscoring her belief in art’s transformative power.
In producing ‘Feel Free,’ Sze found joy in her creative process, allowing intuition to guide her work. “I really enjoyed making them, and I think that joy probably comes out in them,” she noted. This sense of spontaneity contrasts with previous works, resulting in a collection that feels both cohesive and liberating.
Why it Matters
Sarah Sze’s ‘Feel Free’ serves as a vital commentary on the nature of perception in a world awash with images. It challenges audiences to confront their relationship with visual media while fostering a deeper understanding of their own memories and emotions. In doing so, Sze’s work not only redefines the role of contemporary art but also invites us to reflect on our place within an ever-evolving visual landscape. As viewers navigate her intricate compositions, they embark on a journey of introspection that is both timely and necessary in today’s image-driven society.
