Human memory is one of the most fascinating mysteries in life. It is imperfect and has its critical flaws, and yet many people struggle to put up with this hard fact. If the subject of the fluidity of memory and the impossibility of going back tickles your fancy, we have something for you. Right now, the NYC gallery Space 776 is hosting an amazing solo exhibit of the Chicago artist Lynn Basa. The exhibition titled “In the Aggregate” explores the dynamic nature of memory.

Lynn Basa, Ovoid #1

In the Aggregate: Lynn Basa’s amazing solo exhibit at Space 776

“In the Aggregate” is an allegorical exhibition that subtly discovers the idea of memory defects and abnormalities. You should not consider it only as ephemeral abstract art. Instead, many viewers, especially those who experienced the sour feelings and pain of an unreturnable past, will find the symbolism of Lynn Basa’s solo exhibit very precise and accurate. Through her enigmatic encaustic paintings made with oil pigment and beeswax, the artist explains the idea of hidden memories and why some of them have to be buried in time.

Lynn Basa, Emanance

What does the title of the exhibition mean? We can only suggest that an aggregate is an entity or a whole combining various fragments, elements, and practices. At the end of the day, art is in the eye of the beholder, so you might well find a different answer to this question. The exhibition features a series of paintings that Lynn Basa made by “scraping through layers of previous decisions.” Among them are “Tapped Out,” “Commotion,” “Mudlark,” “Emanance,” “Just Crazy Enough,” and others.

Lynn Basa, Commotion

Lynn Basa is a talented contemporary artist with a BA from Indiana University in fine art with a focus on ceramics and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in studio and critical theory. She is also the author of the book The Artist’s Guide to Public Art.

Lynn Basa, Just Crazy Enough

“In the Aggregate” is on view at Space 776 through March 23, 2021. If you are in New York, you should definitely visit the gallery to enjoy the amazing solo exhibit of Lynn Basa!