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The art of be-longing


Embedded within Whipple Fine Arts building, artist Mika Aono Boyd unveils her complex creations of repetition in overlooked life.

“Be-longing” is a showcase of approximately 15 pieces of art. This is not an exact number however, because many of the exhibits could be considered collective pieces joined together. Regardless, this art incorporates fractals as a major design focus.

Boyd uses simple mediums such as paper, string and Tulle to create her elaborate repeating patterns both in large and small scale. She depicts delicacy in some of her exhibits through the use of tulle, a soft cotton or silk fabric. The snow-white tulle lightly flows from the ceiling to the floor, engulfed with dark fractal patterns.

Shattered glass is also a part of the installation, circumnavigating the ground below the tulle. The glass actually replicates fractals used in Boyd’s patterns on the hanging tulle.

The word fractal derives from the Latin word fractus meaning broken or uneven. According to Merriam-Webster, a fractal is made up of irregular curves or shapes repeated in a pattern which can be magnified or decreased to continue the pattern.

Boyd’s exhibit also includes insects, and she explains the metaphoric reason for using them in her installation.

“All the insects in the gallery, especially moths, are a symbol for life/death, re-generations and migrations,” Boyd said via the UCC website. “I thread and connect them into a metaphysical loop. The red threads embody links and ties that I deeply long for.”

Hailing from Sendai, Japan, however now residing in the Eugene area, Boyd spent several weekends at UCC preparing her installation for display. Some units, such as the circular pattern created with small paper-like pieces, took countless hours to lay out. Boyd disclosed that this piece will be different each time she sets it up.

“Be-longing” will be on exhibit in Whipple Fine Arts until Feb. 6. To see Boyd’s other displays, visit her website at mikaboyd.com.