School of Visual Arts presents “In Cylinder,” an exhibition of work by SVA students and recent graduates selected by a jury of their peers. Organized by SVA Galleries, “In Cylinder” is on view Saturday, August 13, through Saturday, September 10, at the SVA Flatiron Gallery, 133/141 West 21st Street, New York City.

The work on view in “In Cylinder,” deriving its title from Samuel Beckett’s short story The Lost Ones, confronts different forms of identity and the challenges of the present moment—from an investigation of the immigrant experience in New York City, to land use in Florida, to the Greek financial crisis, to depictions of romantic relationships. Some of the work in the exhibition addresses challenging political questions in an indirect or abstract way. Zoe Frederick’s sculptures about representations of intimacy in popular culture are both playful and sad; Dozie Kanu’s designed objects are functional while questioning the under-appreciation of black artists and designers; and Ping Wang’s surreal photos offer an alternative to the typical representation of women in fashion photography. With varying degrees of explicitness, the works in the exhibition represent a struggle against social and political constraints.

Participating artists include Sivan Dayan, Zoe Frederick, Laurens Heijs, Shravya Kag, Dozie Kanu, Peter Killeen, Georgia Lale, Sara Meghdari, Ange Ong and Ping Wang.

Sivan Dayan (MFA Fine Arts) projects video over sculptural installations constructed of safety glass to explore the fragile nature of relationships and intimacy.

Zoe Frederick’s (MFA Fine Arts) textile sculptures reference the female-led pattern and decoration movement, and address trauma and heartbreak as viewed through the lens of popular culture and reality television.

Laurens Heijs’s (BFA Film) video, Chinatown, uses dreamy music and imagery to create an atmospheric portrait of the inhabitants of Chinatown, which highlights the dynamic of loneliness and integration that is a part of immigrant life in the city.

Shravya Kag (MPS Digital Photography) presents Little Punjab, a documentary photo essay on Sikh immigrants living in Queens.

Inspired by his personal experience, Dozie Kanu (BFA 2016 Film) presents a series of sculptures and 2D works that address design, functionality and race.

“Sunbelt,” by Peter Killeen (MPS Digital Photography), is a photo series analyzing speculative real estate and land use in Florida.

Georgia Lale’s (MFA 2016 Fine Arts) video work responds to the Greek financial crisis.

For her photo series “NYC,” Sara Meghdari (MFA 2016 Photography, Video and Related Media) photographed sleeping New Yorkers as a way to acquaint herself with her new city.

Ange Ong (MPS Digital Photography) explores the feeling of making a home in a foreign environment through constructed tabletop scenes.

Ping Wang’s (MPS Digital Photography) photographs are inspired by his dreams and the surrealist movement, and use strong lighting and symbolism to create an atmosphere of psychologically charged unease.

Juried exhibitions are a way for SVA’s student body to recognize the achievements of their classmates. Artists are selected from a large pool of applicants through a rigorous examination of presented materials, including documentation of work and artist statements.

Exhibition

In Cylinder

SVA Flatiron Gallery

Reception