Kyong Boon Oh, 6.25 – Mapping, Archival pigment print on canvas, pin, thread stainless steel/copper/aluminum wire, 2024.

Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and ReflectSpace Gallery are thrilled to present (Be)Longing: Asian Diasporic Crossings, a compelling exhibition that explores the multi-generational afterlives of war and displacement, alongside the creation of East-West Asian diasporic spaces. This thought-provoking exhibition will be on display from July 20 through September 22, 2024, at ReflectSpace Gallery within the Glendale Central Library.

(Be)Longing features the works of seven talented artists from Los Angeles, Korea, and China, delving into themes of belonging, community, and identity through a variety of mediums including maps, sculptures, photography, archives, video, and layered materials. The exhibition aims to provoke reflection on questions such as: Can you draw the borders of belonging? How do you make a map of a transnational and borderless community? How much do histories of displacement and war enter the contemporary narrative of a community? What is the relationship of a diasporic community to its indigenous lands and history?

At the heart of this exhibition are the contributions of Los Angeles-based artists Annette Miae Kim and Kyong Boon Oh. Their work, deeply personal and poignant, draws on their familial histories in both South Korea and North Korea, challenging our preconceptions about diasporas and borders through maps, archives, sculptures, and tactile materiality.

Annette Miae Kim, Conversations with My Father, 2024.

Complementing their work are the creations of four artists from Korea and China—Sun Siran, Xia Yan, Gil Woong Kim, and Donah Lee—who explore their diasporic journeys and connections to their homelands through newly commissioned video pieces. Additionally, Los Angeles-based contemporary ceramicist Jennifer Cheh reflects on her diasporic identity by engaging with traditional Korean forms in her work.

Curated by Monica Hye Yeon Jun and Ara & Anahid Oshagan, (Be)Longing: Asian Diasporic Crossings offers a profound exploration of the diasporic experience, as each artist grapples with their unique histories and present realities to articulate their senses of being and belonging.

Opening Reception:
Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, July 27, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at ReflectSpace Gallery. This event is an excellent opportunity to meet the artists, experience their powerful works firsthand, and engage in meaningful discussions about the themes presented.

Exhibition Details:

• Dates: July 20 – September 22, 2024
• Location: ReflectSpace Gallery, Glendale Central Library, 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA, 91205
• Opening Reception: Saturday, July 27, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

For more information about the exhibition and related events, please visit our website. Don’t miss this chance to explore the rich and complex narratives of the Asian diasporic community through the eyes of these remarkable artists.

As we stand on the brink of a new era where art transcends boundaries and science breaks new ground, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust (GLACT) is thrilled to support an event that embodies this pioneering spirit: the “Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination” exhibition.

This extraordinary showcase, a collaboration between the City of Glendale’s Library, Arts & Culture Department and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is part of the Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide. It’s a regional art event that promises to take us on a journey through the past, present, and future of the entwined realms of art and science.

Why “Blended Worlds”? “Blended Worlds” is more than an exhibition; it’s a conversation between disciplines, a dialogue between worlds. It’s where the ethereal beauty of art and the rigorous logic of science meet to explore our relationships with the cosmos. The GLACT, through a grant from the Getty, is proud to support this initiative.

The Visionaries Behind the Art The exhibition features a constellation of artists and scientists, including the iconic Larry Bell and the innovative Moon Ribas, who have come together to create a tapestry of experiences that challenge our perceptions and inspire wonder. Their works, alongside those of nine other artists, invite us to contemplate our place in the universe and the interconnectedness of all things.

Highlights to Anticipate

• Larry Bell’s “Time Machine”: A reflective journey that plays with our sense of self and the other.
• Moon Ribas’s “Seismic Percussion”: A performance that harmonizes the seismic whispers of Earth and Mars.
• David Bowen’s “Tele-present Wind”: An installation that brings the Martian atmosphere to Earth, stirring the air we share with the distant red planet.

Engage with “Blended Worlds” The exhibition is just the beginning. A series of public programs and community events will unfold, offering everyone a chance to engage with the themes of “Blended Worlds.” From an evening of art, theater, and science to an original musical and a family-friendly festival, there’s something for everyone to connect with and explore.

Join Us in Support The Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust invites you to be part of this interstellar experience. Your support helps us continue to bring such transformative events to life. Visit the Brand Library & Art Center from September 21, 2024, to January 4, 2025, and let “Blended Worlds” take you on a journey of discovery and imagination.

For more information on how you can support and participate in this event, visit our website. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of blended worlds.