Barely Touching

April-May, 2021

Barely Touching was conceived with basic premise, that this work would reflect the Artists’ personal reactions to the societal challenges erupting during the year 2020. The video installation is the main component. Both Artists’ videos counterbalance each other. They address a deep sense of longing and the tension between connection and disconnection in relationship, ie. human, environmental and societal. The work explores the theme of connection, as well the racial, social and political landscape in the United States in the past year,...the murder of George Floyd, immigration crises and personal reflections. Already, since the exhibition’s beginnings at Axel’s Gallery in Waterbury, Vermont in February and March 2021 the work has evolved in unexpected ways. 

Of her sculptures included in the exhibition, Calza explains “My sculptures are multilayered and specifically address issues of race.I was born during the Baby Boomer era as are many of our elected officials in DC. I’m investigating my relationship to race through the lens of my upbringing in the U.S.,specifically using toys, in this case dolls produced during that time period.”

Holt’s mixed media photographic work depicts figures passing, empty chairs still holding the energies of those that came before. The mood is both mysterious and hopeful.

Barely Touching  will continue as an ongoing collaborative community project. Calza and Holt will invite people to the Gallery, record their stories and weave something together that tells a collective experience. The work will result in a new video installation continuing the non-linear conversation of our global community. 

This exhibition is in collaboration with the statewide initiative of the Vermont Curators Group 2020 Vision - Reflecting on a World-Changing Year.