Hannah Langer was born in China before being adopted by an American family and growing up in Massachusetts. The artist has spent her life tracing her story through official documents and records, certificates, stamps and signatures. Facing Forward turns archive into aesthetics with a display of works based on bureaucratic and administrative ephemera scattered with hidden ceramic seeds created by the sculptor. Langer’s installations are meditative and mysterious as viewers instinctively attempt to weave together a narrative between the artist’s stained and painted documents, typewritten and decorated with Chinese characters. These are complemented by nest-like constructions of sticks and debris that hide the artist’s lovely, textured ceramic objects. All of these combine for a unique spring display: installation art as memoir, as poetic as it is plaintive.
Opening reception 1-9 p.m. May 2; through May 23 at Coop Gallery
507 Hagan St.
