site specific for “Resistance of the Sleepers” at UCCA Dune Museum (China)

“Us as a Poem of Delusion” is a set of artworks by Ana Montiel specifically made for the 2020 exhibition “Resistance of the Sleepers” at UCCA Dune museum (Beidaihe, China).

The first artwork of the set is “Aperture (a prelude into meaning)" and consists of two silver chromed gongs, to be played by the visitors when entering and exiting the exhibition space. The idea behind this sculpture is to emphasize the threshold between one space and the next, as an analogy of entering and exiting different states of consciousness.  

“The Translucent Mind” is a series of ethereal digital paintings revolving around questions like the limits of our conscious awareness (or the depths of our unconscious) and the prevalent uncertainty within the consensus reality we live by. In the exhibition space there is a set of fifteen TTM pieces, each accompanied by an inscription of their title on Carrara marble; and besides the above there are two large format TTM paintings on the ceiling windows with sunlight getting filtered through them at certain times during the day, consequently enhancing the intangible spirit of the exhibition space.

In addition to the onsite artworks there’s a sound piece in the shape of a playlist (available both on QQ and Spotify) intended to be listened to while visiting the show to make the experience more immersive.

On translucency and delusions

Us, living and loving within an illusion. We jump between realms without noticing, and with a compass pointing inward we set out to a journey into the irrational.

Not-knowing, not-knowing, not-knowing… all these experiences are mere reflections, projections or illusions. We live in a mirage, we are immersed in a world of ethereal impressions. Trans-temporal echoes. We braid our experience by dreaming aloud. We hold hands to navigate this collective hallucination. We hold each other tight for a sense of security amidst the uncertain.

This stillness (this year of theoretical repose) acts like pond in the moon, reflecting ancient emotions. It brings up echoes of songs we shouldn’t have forgotten.

This is a circle becoming a cycle—shape into meaning.
This ouroboric state, like a vision of the future, like a dream of the present.
This is a glimpse into something greater. 

A circle of silence and devotion. An opening into us. We, finally overcoming ourselves. From the inner to the outer, from the personal to the transpersonal, and round again.


Ana Montiel, 2020

Digital painting on clear acrylic  (51 x 37cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (4,5cm x 22cm x 1.5cm)








THE TRANSLUCENT MIND
XV : Rising Above Ourselves (A Transpersonal Prayer), 2020 Digital painting on clear acrylic  (63 x 66cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (2,2cm x 25,5cm x 1.5cm)

THE TRANSLUCENT MIND
V : Us Becoming a Song in Our Dreams, 2020 Digital painting on clear acrylic  (40 x 70cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (7cm x 22,5cm x 1.5cm)

THE TRANSLUCENT MIND
VIII : At Nights We Rise Above Reason to Settle in a State of Ecstasy, 2020 Digital painting on clear acrylic  (75 x 53cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (7cm x 32cm x 1.5cm)

THE TRANSLUCENT MIND
X : Us, Misunderstanding the Sublime, 2020 Digital painting on clear acrylic  (70 x 41cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (2,3cm x 33cm x 1.5cm)








THE TRANSLUCENT MIND
I : A Compass Pointing Inward (Journey Into the Irrational), 2020 Digital painting on clear acrylic  (75 x 53cm)
Inscribed Carrara marble (7,7cm x 28cm x 1.5cm)