“The making of ‘art’ in any medium or combination of mediums is a holy act.”
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
The Museum’s current exhibition Genesis Breyer P-Orridge: Try to Altar Everything explores the connections between Himalayan cultures and the life and work of artist Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. The exhibition catalog features descriptions of the works of art included in the exhibition, as well as original essays by Breyer P-Orridge and curator Beth Citron, which provide context for the artist’s work and elaborate on the ideas explored in the art.
Below are a few revelations you’ll find in the exhibition catalog. Pick up a copy from our shop for more!
1) The artist’s view of life
Kali in Flames Genesis Breyer P-Orridge; 1986; Mixed media; 20 x 25 inches; Courtesy of the Artists & Invisible-Exports
“L-if-E should be a constant and permanent state of questioning, a never-ending present built by the choices we make in that present to regenerate an “improved” (we hope) future that is NOT motivated by fear” Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
Breyer P-Orridge’s view that life is a process of questioning and transformation is embodied through the works featured in the exhibition. H/er re-purposing of images, objects, words, and even h/er body, to create new meanings demonstrates h/er personal transformation and growth, while provokes visitors to question their own assumptions.
2) How the mundane becomes holy
“This process of infusing even the most commonplace materials with encoded meaning, with profound memories, makes them recording devices that we believe generate nonverbal, primal, atavistic responses in the ancient memory banks within our brains.” Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
The encoding of meaning that Breyer P-Orridge discusses in this excerpt from the essay “Time Emits,” describes the inspiration behind the site-specific installation comprised of visitor offerings. The objects may appear commonplace or obscure, but many hold profound meaning to their original owners.
3) The artist’s connection to Nepal
“While in Kathmandu with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge this past October in preparation for the exhibition Try to Altar Everything, my overriding feeling was of natural comfort, and it was mutual; as accustomed as s/he is to the place, it is to h/er.”
Beth Citron
It was apparent to the exhibition’s curator, Beth Citron, that Breyer P-Orridge felt a personal connection with Kathmandu, Nepal. The artist has been inspired by Nepal throughout h/er career and the spiritual traditions of the Nepali people directly inspired much of the work in the exhibition, Try to Altar Everything.
Follow the Rubin Museum on Instagram and enter the #AltarEverything Giveaway for a chance to win a free exhibition catalog and be sure to catch the exhibition before it closes on August 1, 2016.
All quotes: P-Orridge, Genesis, and Beth Citron. Genesis Breyer P-orridge: Try to Altar Everything. New York, NY: Rubin Museum of Art, 2016.
