Remember Paradise, by Gage Hamilton, Opening Friday, February 28, 7-10pm.
In Remember Paradise, Gage explores the relationships between death, depression, perseverance, balance and serenity. Voids and black holes anchor the North, South, East and West walls amid an immersive rainstorm. Rainbows, symbolizing a concept of paradise and an infinite bridge between unknown skies, center the North and South voids as hardened figures made of concrete pass from one to the other through the storm. Repeated textures of fur, hair and rope both protect and bind, offering traps of comfort along the way.
The following is a duplication of a medical pamphlet titled Tips To Avoid Falling, received during a stay at the Paradise Valley Psychiatric Hospital.
Wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and tie shoelaces securely. Solid footwear helps with your balance. Avoid slippers or walking barefoot.
Get a friend or family member to help you clear your walkways of anything you can trip over. Move it out of the way, or think about getting rid of it.
Make sure your light switches are easy to reach, and at the bottom and top of any stairs. Turn the lights on before you get up to move around. Always know where your flashlights are in case the power goes out.
Get a friend or family member to hold on to for balance. Move carefully and grasp a railing when you walk up or down the stairs. Use caution when carrying something or hurrying.
Clean up spills right away, and keep walkways free of ice and wet leaves.
Read the labels on any medications you take, or check with your doctor or pharmacist, to learn if any of the drugs might make you feel dizzy or tired.
Keep fit to give your body a stable foundation. Weak legs raise your odds of a fall.
Once your home is a safe zone, you’re less likely to have accidents. You can move around with more confidence and a renewed sense of independence.
Gage Hamilton is a Portland-based multidisciplinary artist, curator and public arts organizer. He works predominately with large scale murals and installations, and is co-founder of Forest For The Trees, SODO Track, SF City Art, and Tips on Failing.
