Of course it is always worth taking a close look at art. But some works demand it more than others. As the title suggests, the exhibition focuses on works that require a keen eye, with ‘hidden’ details that only reveal themselves to the viewer who comes closer, lingers longer, or looks from a new perspective. These details may be obscured by miniaturization, fragmentations, distortions or other alienations. They might be revealed by reflections in mirrors, by narratives unfolding in the background of the ‘main action’, or simply by small objects scattered on tables, desks or beds – each holding a key to new interpretations.
Why do artists sometimes include these subtle or less visible motifs in their work, drawing the viewer closer as if to whisper something in their ear? Is it an exercise in scale and proportion, a game of hide-and-seek, or a demonstration of artistic skill reminiscent of 16th century miniaturists or Baroque painters? Is it a hidden reward for only the most attentive viewer? In today’s digital age, where speed and surface dominate our interactions, such nuances invite us to slow down, to question our perception, and to reflect on how we engage with images in a world of fleeting attention.
The exhibition aims to explore these and other questions through the multifaceted works of Katherine Bradford, Anne Buckwalter, Madeline Donahue, Aubrey Levinthal, Laila Tara H, Sophie Treppendahl, Maximilian Kirmse, Fabian Treiber, and Evian Wenyi Zhang. Although these artists use different approaches, styles and techniques, they each find ways to embed subtle or unexpected details in their works, which take time and patience to emerge.
Opening: Friday, December 6, 6-8pm
