By Khalida Sarwari
Disneyland claims to be the happiest place on Earth, but for about four months the beloved landmark may see some competition at 15400 Montalvo Road in Saratoga.
On Jan. 25, the Montalvo Arts Center will launch a new exhibition in the Project Space Gallery that explores what it means to be happy, featuring various installations by three artists. The exhibit, titled “Happiness Is … ,” will be presented as part of the center’s 20-month programming theme titled, “Flourish: Artists Explore Wellbeing.”
“It’s basically an exploration of ‘What does it mean to be happy? How can we build a contented life?’ ” said Donna Conwell, associate curator at Montalvo.
The idea for the exhibition sprung out of curiosity on a global level to understand the meaning of happiness, said Conwell. Over the past two decades, there’s been an emphasis on studying happiness by psychologists and companies offering well-being programs to employees to boost productivity and morale, she said. At universities, there are courses being taught on the subject of happiness, and in 2011 the United Nations conducted a study to measure national well-being in order to help future governments base their policies on what makes voters happy.
“They were inspired by Bhutan, whose leaders introduced this new measure that will focus on happiness rather than economic productivity,” Conwell said.
Then last year the UN organized a conference bringing together leaders from across numerous spectrums, including government, academia and civic society, to speak on the topic of happiness and discuss areas where public policy could support the happiness of citizens within communities. Some of those areas include job security, good mental health and the availability of social media.
It seemed like a topic that everyone was talking about, from TV personalities and spiritual leaders to health professionals, business people, environmentalists, politicians and writers. So, seeking to contribute to the conversation, Montalvo invited three artists to respond through their artwork to the age-old question of, “How do we foster happiness and build a contented life?”
The artists–Susan O’Malley, Leah Rosenberg and Christine Wong Yap–rose to the occasion. Yap, who is based in New York, flew to Oakland and spent some time there to create her art, which is comprised of messages sewn from ribbons with statements such as “Take charge of your happiness” and a William Blake quote: “What have I added to the well of creation?” Yap has also created irrational exuberance flags, a rotating series of colorful flags representing the spirit of optimism.
San Francisco-based Rosenberg has an interest in the role of color, light and material and how they affect a sense of well-being, said Conwell. Inspired by the use of light as a therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, her contribution to the exhibition is fluorescent-striped light boxes, which visitors are invited to stand in front of to alleviate negative emotions.
O’Malley, who’s from San Jose, took an unconventional route, even for an artist. For her part, she created a space where visitors are invited to come and sit down on a cushion and take time to relax and reflect. The area will be decorated with chairs, rugs and pillows with positive messages.
As part of the exhibition, O’Malley and Rosenberg will also collaborate on a project wherein they will take visitors on a guided “healing walk” behind the gallery. There, visitors will see a series of signs created by O’Malley, with positive affirmations or a directive inviting people to enjoy the walk and contemplate happiness and well-being. Rosenberg will plant wildflowers to “punctuate the walk with little pieces of color,” said Conwell.
Through the art pieces and events, the artists hope to emphasize the importance of community, ritual and active participation in cultivating happiness.
One goal of the exhibition is to get the community engaged and thinking about the question of happiness. To that end, Montalvo is inviting the public to submit a photo that best conveys what makes them happy, along with a “Happiness is … ” caption.
Submissions can be sent to Twitter or Instagram, tagged @montalvo arts, with #Happiness, or emailed to lbaines@mon talvoarts.org. Some entries will be posted on the Montalvo website and social media websites.
The winner of the contest will be selected by one of the artists on March 20–which is International Happiness Day–to receive a signed, limited-edition inspirational poster by O’Malley.
“We’re hoping people can think about this and break it down,” Conwell said.
The exhibition is organized by the Lucas Artists Residency Program and will open with a free reception on Jan. 25 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. It is slated to close on April 14.
