Diana Vives will be showcasing her exhibition at the Michaelis School of Fine Art. Over the past two years, fire has been the central theme in her work, and she has looked at its different meanings and forms. Diana aimed to make fire feel strange and new again, will this approach, attendees will be taken on a trip of time and imagination.
Fire has always been important to humans. Since people first learned to control it, fire has influenced thinking, emotions and even the planet itself. In this exhibition, Diana connects fire to different ideas such as new materialism and a respect for nature. She believes that fire can be understood as more than just a physical element; it is a process of change.
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The materials she chose for her sculptures were intentionally used to connect to fire. Some materials, like igneous rock, from fire itself. Others, such as clay and metal are shaped by fire’s heat. Wood plays a role in her work too. She uses trees and charred wood from wildfires to represent human experiences and history. These materials reflect a lot on issues such as climate change, displacement and exploitation.
In her exhibition, Diana draws from myths and ancient beliefs to discuss complex topics like memory, nature, and the connection between people and their environment. She suggests that understanding fire can help connect the past to the present. As early humans faced the power of nature, they learned to make sense of it, using that knowledge to survive.
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At the core of Diana’s exhibition is a existential exploration of life. She understands that fire is not just a simple thing but a transformative process that changes everything around it. Diana herself has felt the dual nature of fire, which both creates and destroys, enlightens and obscures. In today’s world where ecological and mental health challenges are on the rise, she feels the need for people to look into their inner fires which can often go unnoticed.
