Roma 2018

This sphere, Roma, by Joseph Pace, is covered in all kinds of shiny little jewels and objects, set into a compact, uniform surface. I imagine him gathering these treasures over time, each little piece carrying its own story, each one carefully placed. Look at how the beads wrap around the sphere, clinging to the curves! I can imagine Joseph Pace patiently layering them. What was he thinking as he was making this? Maybe about beauty, how one creates meaning through collecting and compiling memories. It reminds me of the work of Liza Lou, who also covers everyday objects with beads. It feels like Joseph Pace is showing us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, in the overlooked and discarded. Artists keep the conversation going across time, inspiring each other to see the world in new and exciting ways. It’s a kind of embodied expression that embraces uncertainty, making way for many, many interpretations.