Exploring Forgiveness, Identity, and Heritage Through the Lens of Multicultural Artists: A Virtual Tour of the ‘Elongated Shadows’ Exhibition

In the heart of Lower Manhattan, New York, apexart is a non-profit organization that aims to challenge conventional beliefs about art, exhibitions, and curation. By showcasing the works of both emerging and established artists, its seasoned curators select some of the most striking and thought-provoking works of our time.

This Fall, apexart is presenting the “Elongated Shadows” exhibition, featuring works by artists Kei Ito, Migiwa Orimo, Azumi O E, Suzanne Hodes, Andrew Paul Keiper, and Air Beser, who were winners of apexart’s juried Open Calls program. This poignant multimedia collection examines the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and each piece explores different facets of this horrific event. The work delves into the view of the Americans who designed and detonated the bombs, the impact on those who fell victim to the attacks, and the trauma inherited by younger generations.

Due to the pandemic, many exhibition spaces have had to limit in-person access, so apexart has created a Matterport 3D tour of the exhibition to provide a more accessible virtual option. The 3D capture allows a degree of exploration and engagement that is not possible on a scrolling webpage and feels more interesting than a fully computer-generated virtual space.

Lisa Vagnoni, web director at apexart, talked a bit about the creation of the Matterport 3D tour of this exhibition and its role in sharing and educating in a greater context. “Elongated Shadows” is viewable at apexart until October 24, 2020, by private showing, admitting one person or part at a time.

In addition to the actual works captured for the Matterport space, apexart has included all the supplemental content visitors would have access to in the real gallery, like the dual-language brochure, checklist, related events, and a donation link, as well as video interviews with the curator and artists. By expanding upon the content included in the exhibition in this way, apexart hopes that visitors will be encouraged to take a deep dive into the themes explored. As a non-profit educational arts organization, these tools help expand upon a robust learning element in the exhibitions.

The exhibition explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and heritage. By exploring the myriad viewpoints of artists connected to the development of the bombs and third-generation survivors of the bombings, visitors will be prompted to reflect on these important themes.

The piece Afterimage Requiem by Kei Ito and Andrew Paul Keiper is a combination of visual and audio elements, with Ito creating the prints and Keiper creating the audio. These elements are intended to be experienced in tandem, just as visitors would hear its sound while viewing the prints in the real gallery space. In the Matterport, visitors will feel transported to the different locations where Keiper did field recordings for the work.

apexart initially had to adjust its public communication as new information for New York City developed due to the pandemic. In line with the city’s reopening plan, the organization has expanded from online-only to combination online-and-in-person with cautionary measures in place. There was a lot of faith, innovation, and improvisation involved.

Visitors can get the full online experience of Elongated Shadows at apexart.org/faust.php, and anyone interested in applying as a curator for apexart’s next season can check out the Open Call at apexart.org/opencalls.html.