In an unassuming gallery on the corner of Smithfield and Fourth in Downtown Pittsburgh sits a gallery very different from others in the city. People We Love by artist Kit Monkman examines the human relationship between loved ones and strangers, breaking the boundaries between the two relationships.
The gallery is a simple hallway, with screens inlayed within a black wall, contrasting drastically to the all white room the artwork is housed in. Seven screens are lined up, equally spaced a part, each with a different face on them. The subjects of these works are all Pittsburgh natives, some of whom you may know. Monkman manages to capture a seemingly candid five minute recording of the sitter, although the entire exhibition is a production. In these videos the viewer is confronted with nothing more than a loving gaze directed in their direction. The subjects, just as anonomous as the viewers, are actually participating in a guided meditation of a loved one. This leads to tears, quiverring eyebrows, and gaping lips. If you are like me, the site alone will make you have to wipe away tears yourself.
It is an interesting topic to contemplate. The idea of such a loving glance being given to you by a complete stranger. The fondness in the subject's eyes are honestly more profound than most looks you get from your loved ones (explained by the moving guided meditation the subjects are listening to.) This interconnection between strangers, across space and time, really makes one think about the intimacy we share as people. Staring into the eyes of someone I have never met allowed me to think of others' humanity on a deeper scale. It is a sense of intimacy that you can get in no other situation, I mean, you sure would get some questionable reactions if you stopped someone on the street to gaze lovingly in their eyes for five minutes. This unique way of bringing technology into real life situations is truly allowing us to become closer as a community.
Not only is this work impactful for the viewer, but for the sitter. Love is something that so many of us deny ourselves to fully feel. When placed in an environment with nothing to do but think of love, it becomes overwhelming. Some people who participated brought pictures of deceased relatives, partners, or friends. This of course made the entire experience healing in the loss of a loved one. Others brought pictures of themselves, which is healing in an entirely different way, easily understood by those of us who have struggled to love ourselves. There are no restrictions on whose picture you could look at, or even what.
The connection created between to strangers in this moment is truly the art. The act of standing in front of someone when they are entirely vulnerable is a powerful experience. It encourages you to be vulnerable. Sharing feelings of joy, wonder, love, and sorrow with someone whom you have never seen before brings a sense of empathy and humanity.
Connection is amplified as a part of the work by the spotlights, not shining on the video screens, but the viewer. I find it particularly stunning that the lighting implies a sense of incompleteness before the viewer participates. In this way it is truly participatory artwork that is begging visitors to come in, see art, and more importantly share a connection.
This artwork is free and open to the public and will be on display from April 8 through June 5.
For more information please visit www.peoplewelove.online
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