—The making of art in any medium or combination of mediums is a holy act.
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
—The making of art in any medium or combination of mediums is a holy act.
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge: Try to Altar Everything explored 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 2016 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 from the exhibition catalog.
Kali in Flames; Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (British, 1950–2020); 1986; mixed media; 20 × 25 in.; Courtesy of the artists & INVISIBLE-EXPORTS; L178.1.17.
—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 provoking visitors to question their own assumptions.
—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 composed of visitor offerings. The objects may appear commonplace or obscure, but many hold profound meaning to their original owners.
—While in Kathmandu with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge this past October in preparation for the exhibition, 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 Nepalese people directly inspired much of the work in Try to Altar Everything.
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