in(finite)

Discovering the paradox of freedom within limitations

A curated UCLA student art exhibition in celebration of the Jewish festival Shavuot

Freedom is the most widely held value in our society. Restrictions and boundaries appear to negate a future of endless possibilities. However, a lack of boundaries can lead to choice anxiety: a sense of paralysis that comes from an overwhelming amount of options or fear of making the wrong decision.

One of life’s great paradoxes is that true freedom must exist within limits. A good game must have well designed rules, musicians playing together must all agree to play within the same time signature, and artists often restrict themselves to a limited color palette to kindle their creative vision.

The Jewish festival of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah, explores the significance of this often misunderstood ancient document that provides the basis for much of modern civilization. For a community of former slaves, it equipped them to live in their new society together, establishing rhythms for life.

These artists explore the idea of constraints and limitations, and how the right kinds of ordered limitations can create a context out of which a deeper creative freedom can bloom. This suggests a possibility: is there a set of constructive boundary markers that leads to flourishing?

Within the finite, is it possible to experience the infinite?

(Featuring original artwork by: Sorelle Robertson, Maxwell Huang, Jacob Faulkner, Sophia Han, Alex Mihalko, David Rimer, Elya Aboutboul, Marisa Mancinelli, Aldo Schwartz, Benjamin Bergen, Javier Jauregui, Quinn Budzik, Jesse Kane)

This exhibit is on view from May 6 - May 26, 2023.