Breathing is viewed as one of the most basic and trustworthy ways of linking together the body and the mind, our embodied existence alongside our mental experience of the world. It is also the marker of the dividing line between life and death. The title of the exhibition, I Am That, comes from the English translation of the sanskrit mantra “so’ham.” The phrase refers to the natural sound of the breath; the first part of the phrase “so” is the sound of inhalation, “hum” being the sound of exhalation. This ancient phrase, often called the universal mantra because it references the universal quality of the breath, originates from Indian Vedic philosophies and is used in meditation practices to relax the body and calm the mind.

This exhibition features two installations that explore the theme of breath, the immersive sound installation Cacophony (24hr News Cycle) and a multi screen video installation The Razor's Edge. An exploration in themes of mediation, embodiment, and the nature of time, both works explore the breath through sound and image. The exhibition is the culmination of three years of work at the UC San Diego graduate program and a requirement for the awarding of a degree of Master of Fine Arts.

On View May 4-6th, 2016 at the UC San Diego VAF Performance Space, Room 306

Gallery Hours:

Open Wed & Thurs, 2-6PM

Friday, 4-6PM

(By Appointment May 7-8th)

Reception: Thursday, May 5th, 6-8PM