Exhibition Statement
“To Exist (Is to Be)” is a joint exhibition constructed by Chantal Striepe and Jessica Tsai, who are both interdisciplinary artists and seniors at Carnegie Mellon University. Delving into the human existence and their relationship to the cosmos, this exhibition examines the dialogue between the human inclination to control their lives and role of the omnipotent, omnipresent universe. The concept of time is addressed as a human construct and is reflected on in juxtaposition to the inexplicable, continual forces of the cosmos. This way of the universe is embodied through the notion of balance and harmony, which presents itself by way of opposing forces and the idea that something exists because something else exists in opposition to it. Time in its broadest sense is defined by the distinction between the “past,” the “present,” and “the future” as well as the distinction between the “day” and “night.” While human beings are endlessly trying to characterize and measure the world around them to better function and communicate cohesively and effectively, the universe is the ultimate decision maker for the process of events and controlling force of the activities and outcomes in life.