The Lobby

What is a line? What is a dot? We are taught in early in school that these concepts are straightforward—that a line is simply “the shortest distance between two points.” or, alternatively, “a row of closely spaced dots.”—but in an increasingly interwoven and overlapping world, is that uncomplicated definition still sufficient? In this exhibit, a line is envisioned not only as a vector of utility, but also as a conduit for whimsicality, a site for potential and exploration. The line is no longer about creating the shortest distance, it is about discovering what a line can be—the alternative spaces that can be imagined beyond the bounds of convention, and how artists challenge this easily recognized visual form in different permutations, materials, and arrangements.

The Earth Laughs exhibition at The Lobby is taken from an Emerson quote which expresses, “The Earth Laughs in Flowers”—How appropriate for a private collection which prioritizes beauty! And this exhibition certainly does not disappoint. Through a diverse body of work ranging from traditional oil painting, books, sculpture, ceramic, design, paintings without paint, to a major video installation, The Earth Laughs hopes to highlight the splendor and awe that we feel before nature through the form of the flower.

The first installation, “The Drop,” will launch on Thursday, May 12, and extend through August 2022. The artists include Daniel Buren, Leonardo Drew, Fred Eversley, Sam Gilliam, Jenny Holzer and Jack Whitten. Drew, a renowned contemporary artist, will introduce his work at the opening.