The Invisible (or The Power of Forbearance) 2015

Editor: This installation, "The Invisible (or The Power of Forbearance)" created by Enrique Martínez Celaya in 2015, involves several metal figures standing in a reflective space, surrounded by hanging panels. There's a really somber, almost oppressive atmosphere to the piece. How do you interpret this work, considering the title? Curator: That title is key. Forbearance isn't passive; it's a conscious choice to endure. Given Celaya's background and interests, I see this work deeply intertwined with themes of resilience, particularly in the face of historical and societal pressures that render certain communities invisible. These figures, rendered in metal – a material that suggests both strength and potential for decay – could represent the burden of generations navigating systemic oppression. Editor: The figures all seem to be looking down or are hunched over, could that be significant? Curator: Absolutely. Consider that downward gaze in the context of systemic injustice. Is it a gaze of shame? Humility? Or perhaps quiet defiance? It evokes questions of identity and self-worth. Moreover, the reflective space complicates this, forcing viewers to confront their own role, their own visibility, or invisibility, within these power dynamics. What do you make of that reflective surface they are standing on? Editor: I hadn’t really thought of it that way, I guess. The reflections do implicate the viewer... it suggests that we're all part of this interconnected web, like we’re complicit in some way. So is it less about individual suffering and more about collective responsibility? Curator: Precisely. It challenges us to examine the structures that create these invisible burdens. How does thinking about it in terms of societal structures impact your interpretation? Editor: It’s a lot heavier now, I think. Seeing it just as sadness is easy but now the artist forces me to ask questions about who gets to be seen and heard and who does not. Curator: And art's power lies in fostering those questions. It offers no easy answers, but a vital starting point for dialogue.