Forever is composed of Nows
Curated by the Co-Founders of Assembly Room
Natasha Becker, Paola Gallio, and Yulia Topchiy
GALLERY I, II, & III
Carola Miles, Mirjana, 2019. Oil on canvas. 14 x 11 inches.
February 14 – March 15, 2020
Opening Reception: Friday, February 14, 6-8pm
Hend Al-Mansour, Diane Cionni, d'Ann de Simone, Robin Dintiman, Kathryn Hart, Marlana Stoddard Hayes, Jody Joldersma, Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, Jennifer McCandless, Carola Miles, Mimi Oritsky, Ruth Owens, Simone Paterson, Allison Paschke, Martha Sedgwick, Ann Stoddard, Vicky Tomayko, Ellyn Weiss, Holly Wong, Mineko Yoshida, Alice Pixley Young
Emily Dickinson’s iconic poem, “Forever is Composed of Nows,” presents the idea that every small moment is happening “now” and collectively adds up to “forever,” or a lifetime. What seems so intangible and distant is actually being created out of the experiences we have in the moment.
Similarly, regardless of space or time or context, the artists in the exhibition explore recurring moments—centered around home, family, relationships, work, nature, technology, play, adventure, joy, and trauma. These are the “nows” that appear, throughout our lives, in unexpected ways, if we but stop to notice. Like beads on a string, they make up our “forevers.”
The artists draw on a range of experiences, methods, and styles to present moments in which hope and optimism mingle with death and decay, and joy and humanism flirt with escape and disaster. It is a fragile forever now. But in their brave and compassionate responses to our contemporary world, their work offers hope and promise for the future.
Read the full press release here.
Public Programs
Curatorial Meet-up: February 19, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Assembly Room NYC was founded in New York City’s Lower East Side by three curators to grow a community of female curators across the country and the globe, gathering together to work, connect, and thrive. Prior to this, the founders provided each other with encouragement at times when they needed it. From their humble circle, they expanded and founded an informal monthly gathering, inviting freelance independent female curators to join their monthly meetings. Since 2018, Assembly Room has aimed to carry on this tradition of support and generosity that has fueled so many women-centered movements before us.
As of today, Assembly Room has organized four career advancement workshops for curators and has hosted monthly curatorial meet-ups since its inception, offering networking opportunities to its ever-growing circle of members and connecting them with peer organizations led by women or immigrants, such as, A.I.R Gallery, El Salón (founded by Eva Mayhabal Davis), Artfare, Ninth Street Collective, Female Design Council, Girls Club Collection, Crit, Educational Art Alliance, Asian American Arts Centre.
Gallery Hop from Assembly Room to A.I.R.: March 8, 2020 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
On Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 1-3PM, in conjunction with the NADA New York Gallery Open, A.I.R. Gallery is pleased to present a Gallery Hop from Assembly Room’s location on the Lower East Side to A.I.R. Gallery in DUMBO. Beginning at Assembly Room (191 Henry St, New York, NY 10002) at 1PM, Yulia Topchiy will present her most recent curatorial project, It’s all Chemical, a solo exhibition of new paintings and sculptures by Julia Colavita. At A.I.R. Gallery (155 Plymouth St, Brooklyn, NY 11201), Natasha Becker and Paola Gallio will introduce Forever is composed of Nows, the annual exhibition of A.I.R. National Artists. Coffee with the curators will be offered at A.I.R. after the tour.
1:00 Assembly Room with curator Yulia Topchiy
2:00 - 2:15 Hop!
3:00 A.I.R. with curator Natasha Becker & Paola Gallio
3:30 Coffee with the curators at A.I.R.
