Join us for this special art exhibition! This event is completely free.
We hope you'll join us on Saturday, May 4th, 2023 6-9 pm at Upside Down
About this Event:
- Reception for the new exhibit "Origins"
(Featuring original artwork by: Cora Doran, Dyson Salleh, Jacob Faulkner, Phoebe Li, Stephanie Ko, and Zoë Solís)
- Complimentary snacks
- Coffee and tea from Upside Down
- There is an additional ticket that includes a $5 charge for a taco cart dinner.
About the Art:
In general, our society is disconnected from the cultural stories that have shaped us into who we are. Whether that is a lack of understanding of our ancestor’s rituals, or lack of awareness of our family’s journey from our land of origin, we have been trained to see our origin stories as optional, and possibly irrelevant in deciding who we become. This can lead to an identity crisis, because we are left to construct ourselves after deconstructing where we’ve come from.
There is tremendous value in knowing where you come from – what stories shape your values. Our culture’s tendency is to avoid tradition because it seems constricting, but it can be a liberating thing. We can gain greater respect for one another when we can appreciate one another’s cultural story as complex.
The Jewish celebration of Passover involves remembering our collective identity – that our ancestors were slaves that received the gift of freedom. The meaning that is found in identifying with your cultural origin story leads to a greater degree of security within yourself: you can choose to receive or reject that tradition, rather than be unaware and still be unconsciously shaped by it.
This Spring in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Upside Down invites UCLA student artists to reflect on their origin story – whether your immediate family or your ancestral heritage. What components of these stories have shaped your understanding of yourself? What have you rejected? Where do you situate yourself within your family’s story? What do you resonate with that you would like to share with others?
Parking:
The best option for parking is the Broxton Ave garage (1036 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024)
$5 flat rate after 5pm