Serra Victoria Bothwell Fels is an artist from Brooklyn, New York. Her exhibition at the Arts Center, Beauty Surplus, imagines how our world might be different if we worked together more, looked for new possibilities, believed in a bit of magic, and were kind to one another.
Cavern-like ceilings, mysterious ceramic growths, walls with holes, and cloud-like structures inspired by the natural environment transform the galleries into an “architecture of becoming.” Take a moment to view Beauty Surplus from home. The artworks that alter the rooms were specifically designed by Fels for the space that they are exhibited in and were designed to create confusion between the real and the imaginary. It encourages you to look closely.
Take a moment to step into a dream-like or fantastical space where the real and the imaginary are blurred. Inspired by Fels’ work, what kinds of magical products can your mind invent that would make the world a better place? This could be in relation to nature or the human body. Perhaps there’s a product to provide new insight into how we view negativity, such as a machine that changes negative thoughts into butterflies. Maybe there’s a device to shift the definition of beauty, like a pair of glasses that help you see the world with new perspectives.
In the comments below please share your answer(s) to the question: what kinds of products would you create for a Magical Beauty Surplus Store?
