DiverseWorks will present Parliament of Owls, a group exhibition featuring members of the DiverseWorks Artist Board. This exhibition takes its title from the word that designates a group of owls. Species of animals travel in various groups: a dazzle of zebras, a murder of crows, a pod of whales, a tower of giraffes or a parliament of owls. During the middle ages, owls were often symbols of ominous forces and dark magic, while today they are typically associated with wisdom. Although these two concepts may seem contradictory, they both relate to the artistic process, which requires a combination of cognitive and intuitive skills. Creativity may be defined as the act of conjuring imaginative ideas into reality in order to reveal underlying truths and patterns related to the human condition.
Describing a group of owls as a parliament presents the idea of a democratically elected governing body. As an artist-centered institution, DiverseWorks believes it is essential for artists to have a stake in its programs so they are as relevant and beneficial as possible. This is a unique feature of DiverseWorks. What these artists do in the studio—their multi-faceted activities and practices—informs their participation on the Artist Board, and in turn, the programs at DiverseWorks. Together these artists contribute to an ecosystem and conversation that is vital for DiverseWorks and for Houston.
Parliament of Owls consists of paintings, sculptures, photographs, mixed-media, videos, performances and site-specific interventions in the gallery including an on-site studio and green screen area by Joo Young Choi that explores a day in the life of her “Cosmic Womb” narrative; a graphic installation revealing the history of the graffiti collective Aerosol Warfare; a site-specific wall mural by Phillip Pyle, II; and a performative architectural intervention by Daniel Adame. There will also be a three-act theatrical performance on Saturday, June 27 at 3 pm by Rebecca Novak.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display through August 15.