By: Penny Black
In the heart of Seattle’s vibrant art scene, an exhibition is about to unfold that promises to redefine the boundaries of performance and visual art. “Low Dust,” which ran from June 6 to 29 at the Soil Gallery, was a groundbreaking showcase of artworks from three women artists Jasmine Zhang, Natasha Loewy, and Ruby Leyi Yang. These multimedia artists, residing between Oakland and Seattle, are on a quest to explore the intricacies of performance art from different viewpoints. Through self-performed sculptures, private acts of maintenance, and socially engaged performances, their collaborative effort aims to unravel the complex tapestry of language’s structure and its interplay with art.
Ruby Leyi Yang stands out with her remarkable contributions that delve into personal introspection, while inviting communal reflection. Among her pieces are two performance artworks that epitomize the thematic essence of “Low Dust.” The first is a durational piece capturing Yang in an enthralling chess match against herself. This metaphorical engagement transcends mere game play; it symbolizes the internal battles one faces, highlighting themes of strategy, conflict, and resolution within oneself. It’s this layering of meaning beneath seemingly straightforward actions that encapsulates Yang’s artistic philosophy.
The second piece takes viewers on a conceptual journey as Yang ventures into the desert to communicate with the ocean. Here, she employs Morse code tapping out “Nowww” against Earth’s antipode – a poignant attempt to connect disparate points across our planet’s vastness. This act serves not only as an exploration of distance and longing, but also as a commentary on human connection and communication in an increasingly fragmented world.
These pieces align seamlessly with the group exhibition’s overarching narrative — one that probes beneath surfaces to uncover deeper truths. The exhibition encourages participants to contemplate the fluid nature of intentions and perceptions through artistic expression.
Inside the gallery’s front room window lies “Pressing Time,” a yellow weather balloon gradually deflating under heavy plexiglass — another captivating performative object by Zhang, Loewy, and Yang. The artwork is designed to draw in passersby into a moment of shared experience and reflection.
“Low Dust” goes beyond traditional exhibitions by incorporating video installations alongside participatory performances. Each element is thoughtfully curated to foster active engagement from viewers who become co-creators in this immersive artistic environment. By blurring lines between performers and audience members, these artists unveil their ongoing exploration into art’s potential for evoking poetic language.
Yang’s dedication to pushing boundaries is evident not just in her artwork but also in how she views her practice within the broader context of contemporary art. She states on her website, “Art for me is not just about creating objects or performances; it’s about initiating dialogues — with oneself, with others, with society.” This philosophy resonates throughout “Low Dust,” inviting viewers into conversations that transcend conventional art viewing experiences.
As anticipation builds for this exhibition among Seattle’s art aficionados and beyond, it becomes clear that Ruby Leyi Yang is poised at the forefront of innovative artistic exploration. Her work embodies not only technical skill but also profound introspection and connectivity—qualities that make her pieces deeply resonant on both personal and collective levels.
“Low Dust” stands as a testament to what happens when artists dare to question norms and venture beyond comfort zones — they create spaces where audiences can engage intimately with concepts previously unimagined or unexplored. In doing so, they reaffirm art’s essential role in challenging perspectives, fostering dialogue, and ultimately bridging divides.
In this summer group show, Ruby Leyi Yang along with Jasmine Zhang and Natasha Loewy invite us all through “Low Dust” not just to observe, but actively participate in an ever-evolving conversation. It’s about what it means to be human in today’s complex world — one where dust never truly settles, but constantly transforms under our very gaze.
Published by: Martin De Juan
