What happens when centuries-old techniques are reimagined through a contemporary lens? This fall, Oceanside Museum of Art will present Kaloust Guedel: Where Time Bends Softly, an immersive exhibition that explores the relationship between past and present and challenges conventional ideas of time, craftsmanship, and artistic evolution.
On view from October 10, 2026, through March 14, 2027, Where Time Bends Softly invites visitors into a dynamic environment where historical techniques and contemporary artistry coexist. At the heart of the exhibition is Guedel’s rediscovery and reinterpretation of ancient inlay methods, which serve as the conceptual foundation for a body of work that bridges centuries of artistic tradition while forging a distinctly modern visual language.
Throughout the exhibition, fiber recurs as a material that expands the conversation beyond traditional artistic materials. Its tactile presence reinforces themes of softness, immersion, and transformation, creating an experience that is both visually striking and deeply sensory. In Guedel’s work, softness becomes more than a physical quality – it serves as a metaphor for the fluidity of time itself.
The exhibition further explores the relationships between positive and negative space, surface and structure, and continuity and change. Through complementary forms and material contrasts, Guedel creates immersive scenarios that encourage viewers to consider how entities can influence and transform one another. The result is a multidimensional experience where materiality becomes an active participant in a broader dialogue about permanence, evolution, and interconnectedness.
By blending ancient craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression, Where Time Bends Softly dissolves traditional temporal boundaries, revealing how artistic ideas can transcend generations while remaining relevant in the present moment.
About Oceanside Museum of Art
Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is a non-profit organization that began providing exhibitions and public programs in 1995 as part of their mission to bring people together to explore the art and stories of Southern California artists. OMA’s exhibition program is dynamic and robust, surprising visitors with a fresh and exciting visual experience nearly every visit. In addition to these boundary-pushing contemporary art exhibitions, OMA’s programming includes youth education programs, adult art classes, concerts, films, and creative community parties and events that appeal to locals and tourists alike. The OMA experience stimulates imagination, presents new ideas, and challenges the familiar in a welcoming environment for those new to art, longtime museum-goers, artists, art students, or simply the curious. For more information on Oceanside Museum of Art, visit www.oma-online.org
