First published in the Jan. 7 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
She Loves Collective, an alliance of women artists exploring the possibility of social change through art, presents “SHELTER” — a temporary installation in remembrance of the 44-day Artsakh war of 2020.
Armenia is a small but storied nation that is land-locked between competing geopolitical agendas and is maneuvered as pawns in a chess game. The threat of genocide and perpetual warfare are a constant reminder of the fragility of survival for Armenia. In 2020, as the world was in the throes of a global pandemic, Armenians were shaken by an attack that led to the loss of thousands of young soldiers and innocent civilians.
Los Angeles, more specifically the city of Glendale, is home to the largest Armenian population in the United States. This installation aims to regenerate the senses and inspire renewal even in the darkest moments, inviting viewers to reflect, remember and heal.
This multimedia installation is sponsored by the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission through funding from the Urban Art Fund with support from Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. The installation is currently open until Jan. 29, located at 250 N. Orange St., and is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon-9 p.m.
She Loves Collective was founded in 2017. It is a confluence of artists and creatives from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, each with their own stories to tell. Past exhibitions include “SHE LOVES” — a sold out, three-day art exhibit, “HER RELIC” — showcasing a traditional living space covered in more than 500 pounds of Lavash bread, and most recently, “THE DISH” — on display at Tufenkian Fine Arts and the Museum of Neon Art.
The collective welcomes new members to join and become part of their larger goals of empowering women through art. To stay informed, visit shelovescollective.com and follow @shelovescollective on social media.
