Vijesti Online : Interweaving of narrative, body and cosmos (by Kristina Senic)
Through carefully designed compositions, techniques and motifs, Kiki Smith builds a complex artistic space, inviting the viewer to think about the relationships between nature, the human body and the collective imagination
kiki smith, a renowned contemporary artist whose work explores the fundamental themes of human existence, natural cycles and mythological structures, continuously pushes the boundaries of contemporary visual art. Her exhibition Woven Worlds represents a specific artistic narrative in which material and immaterial, historical and contemporary, body and universe intertwine. Through carefully designed compositions, techniques and motifs, Smith builds a complex artistic space, inviting the viewer to think about the relationships between nature, the human body and the collective imagination.
In the center Woven Worlds there is textiles, a medium whose symbolism crosses the boundaries of craft. Weaving, as an ancient process, becomes a philosophical act for Smith - a metaphor of creation, but also of gradual decomposition, where fibers form a material reflection of transience and permanence. Through weaving, Smith reinforces the idea that art and existence rely on the interweaving of individual elements.
The textile forms in her works evoke human skin or landscapes, while the fabric layers carry narratives about the cyclic nature and human life. With these works, the artist not only recontextualizes traditional techniques, but transforms them into symbolic representations of spiritual and physical connections.
One of the key themes in Kiki Smith's work is the human body, seen as the central space of transformation. As part of the exhibition Woven Worlds, the body is shown in constant dialogue with nature, reflecting the fragility, but also the continuous connection with the wider ecosystem. Textile elements that resemble the texture of skin, internal organs or bones symbolize the layering of existence - physical, emotional and spiritual. Mirrors of Contextualized Addiction.
At the same time, nature appears in her works as a substantial substitute. The motifs of birds, stars, trees and water indicate the cyclicality and harmony and correlation of natural systems, reminding that the body and the universe are inseparable parts of a larger network of life.
Weaving stories past and present, Smith u Woven Worlds manages to bridge temporal and cultural boundaries through reliance on mythological narratives and universal archetypes. Through the process of weaving, she evokes stories ranging from ancient mythology, such as the myths of Ariadne and Penelope, to contemporary narratives of identity and collective memory.
Weaving in her work is not only an act of craft, but an act of narrative. Each thread and pattern reflects the complex connections between personal experiences and universal truths. With these works, Smith asks the question: can mythological stories serve as guides in the modern world? Through the use of textiles, the artist interweaves the elements of the past and the present, offering space for the reinterpretation of symbolic structures that shape our understanding of the world.
The work of Kiki Smith within the exhibition Woven Worlds it can also be seen as a dialogue with craft tradition, especially with historically marginalized women's manual work. Techniques such as embroidery, hand weaving and fabric printing here become carriers of complex meanings, imbued with the symbolism of creativity, survival and transformation.
Using materials such as silk, cotton and recycled fibers, Smith explores the contrasts between ephemerality and permanence, fragility and strength. Her works testify to a deep respect for the craft, but also to its potential for innovation and integration into the contemporary artistic language.
Exhibition Woven Worlds Kiki Smith reveals a complex artistic universe in which all elements are intertwined with threads of meaning, symbolism and emotion. Through his works, Smith reminds us of the metaphysicality (link) of art to connect the seemingly disparate dimensions of reality - the individual and the collective, the past and the future, the body and the cosmos.
Her works are not only visually evocative, but are an invitation to contemplation, opening a space for reflection on the role of the human being in the complex web of life.
U Woven Worlds, Smith does not offer ready-made answers, but instead invites us to become part of her universe and (intertwined) worlds. Weaving, as an act, a symbol and a process, becomes the key to understanding art and human existence - both tangled and powerfully fascinating.
Article published on https://en.vijesti.me/