Amidst from April 12, 2021 to May 15, 2021 at The Stamp Gallery | University of Maryland, College Park | Written by Mollie Goldman 

In Alyssa Imes’ piece, Face Tube (Our Portal), two women dressed entirely in white are tethered to one another by an orange and yellow woven sleeve that fully covers each of their heads. The piece is a short film which depicts two women undergoing a series of movements that involve approaching and distancing from each other. They fold the face tube into itself to pull each other closer, or loosen it to distance from one another. 

In Imes’ personal statement on her website, she discusses the importance of the human body and of human connection in her artworks. This piece exemplifies both of those values. It includes the beauty and fluid movements of human figures while integrating it with the weight of human interaction and the intensity of a bond. Imes stated that her work is inspired by her history as a dancer and her sociable nature. In terms of being a dancer, she is inspired by the way that human bodies “can create unique compositions.” When Imes uses her own body in a performance, she “can be completely vulnerable and open” with her audience. This trait is certainly present in the raw, unguarded quality of her short film.  

Furthermore, Imes defines herself as “an extremely social person” who thrives when surrounded by people and makes her work “about important personal connections I share with people.” In Face Tube, Imes is literally connected to another person. Their bond depicts push and pull, distance and closeness, yet they always remain tethered to one another. And they continuously rearrange the face tube in tandem with one another as they alter their own bodily positions and poses. 

Imes’ piece prompts viewers to consider the nature of this specific human connection as well as the nature of the viewer’s own relationships. The nature of the relationship that the viewer interprets in Imes’ pieces certainly may vary. However, one thing is clear: Imes is telling the story of a dynamic, unbreakable bond between two humans. 

Alyssa Imes’ work is included in Amidst at The Stamp Gallery of the University of Maryland, College Park

For more information on Amidst and related events, visit https://stamp.umd.edu/stamp_gallery.