Theory.Practice.Exhibitions.
In order to represent the complexity of Margaret Gest's personality, this exhibit created two sides of her identity. On one side (Side A), we see the exterior of Gest, how she is presented to the world. On the other side (Side B), we see the interioir of Gest, or how she percieved herself. Clicking through each side gives us a deeper look into her identity.
To stage the difference between Margaret Randall Gest’s private life and her public one, her interiority and her exterior self, we here offer a tableau with two images. One image is a photographic portrait of Gest, which captures her outward appearance, and one is a pastel, Gest’s own interpretation of the world. In this tableau, the photograph, her artwork, a pot of daffodil bulbs, and one of her poems converge. Through this window we can either peer into her life or peer out as she did, engaging with the world through abstract words and forms.
But how should we present the arc of Gest’s life? We do this through circles. You encounter circles not only in the poem but also in the movement from one side of the window to the other. The cycle between these sides creates a rounded form. Whereas one side presents the historic, factual Gest, the other presents her artistic, private life.
--text from the exhibition label