The seemingly simple word “home” is a repository for whatever we choose to put in it, individually and as a culture. Artist Michelle Mayer has taken on the changing ideas that make up our new model of “home” since 9/11 and the advent of war in Iraq. “Open House” is Mayer’s first solo exhibition at Women & Their Work, and it shows a complete vision that is rare in an emerging artist.
Austin Chronicle: So how did you end up making this work?
Michelle Mayer: I had a problem to deal with. I had all these paintings I wanted to do, videos I wanted to show. They all had a similar theme. How could I make them all interact and work together? So I came up with putting them in a house, then the house itself became its own work. It became the installation, with subspaces. A house envelops you; it is a comforting space to be in. I wanted to make works for each room.AC: What made you have this vision of home, traditionally a place of comfort and refuge, now under siege?
MM: I think in most of my pieces there is a duality. It is to bring out an idea. Instead of just showing one thing, I choose to show both at once, so you can feel the full effect – you see both sides at once. Having opposing images or ideas creates a tension. I think that is what you feel as an underlying anxiety in the house, which is a reflection of the anxiety in the world, the lack of peace.
AC: Did 9/11 have an impact onthis work?
MM: After 9/11, I became more sensitive to what was happening – especially in the world of media. There was a fear campaign that started with 9/11 and hasn’t stopped. It inspired a lot of my thoughts that turned into this work. It is not the only thing. I want the images that people see in their daily lives to speak the truth. [In Anthem], here is an image of bombing in Baghdad – everyone saw the images over and over. And almost everyone sees fireworks. Here are those two images together, along with the national anthem – how does that make you feel?
AC: The words “This is not happening so wake up” are barely discernible in the painting Alarm. They are painted the color of the air they float in. Just what do you mean by that phrase?
MM: I wanted that to be something that came at you slowly, like an idea will come to you. You won’t see it at first, but once you do, you can’t deny it. I wanted to emphasize the dreamlike state most of us are in. It’s drawing attention to the fact that a lot of people are putting their fingers in their ears and closing their eyes about things that might feel wrong rather than react. 
“Michelle Mayer: Open House” runs through Feb.12 at Women & Their Work Gallery, 1710 Lavaca. For more information, call 477-1064 or visit www.womenandtheirwork.org.
This article appears in January 28 • 2005.