Holding and Being Held, organized by Alyson Schacherer

a small sculpture of an ornate, old-fashioned telephone. the receiver of the phone is made from beads and connected to the scalloped shell-shaped body of the phone with gold thread
a miniature ceramic sculpture titled Cherry Basket. The form is a shallow green bowl with a red handle arching over the top. in the bowl are grey orbs with green stems.

About the Exhibition

How does art hold our experience? Of the world, of ourselves, each other, of the piece of art itself? 

In 2016, I became a mother and spent a lot of time with my daughter in my arms and on my chest - living with the profundity of holding and being held. I was struck by the complete absence of even a notion of anything other than trust. Breathing together. 

Recently, I held someone dear to me in my arms and he shared how vulnerable it was to allow himself to be held, as a man and as someone used to being the holder. We breathed together.

How can we hold the art and how can the work hold us? I invite you to consider these questions in relationship to this gallery. To hold, and to allow yourself to be held.

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In curating this online exhibition, I can’t tell you how excited and proud I felt to come across a piece marked sold that has become a part of my personal collection. Any of these can be that for you!

 

About the Organizer

Alyson Schacherer is an actor, director, acting teacher and coach based in NYC. Also an auctioneer, she has had the distinct honor of calling NIAD’s WIN WIN auction over the years. Catch her acting in Space Cadet (w/ Emma Roberts) out on Prime soon, and directing Annie Baker’s play The Antipodes for ARC in San Rafael in November!