The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art will open an exhibition by Kathryn Armstrong on April 8 at its CityWay location in the Alexander hotel. Armstrong's exhibit, "Worth Remembering" runs through June 21 and opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on April 8.

The work of Kathryn Armstrong explores interdisciplinary methods of painting, drawing, sculpture and photography as a fluid language of possibilities. Her site-responsive installations often point towards the overlooked as a location for intervention and chance encounters. Armstrong is interested in situating the viewer within a living work of art, somewhere between the familiar and the unfamiliar.

In this special project, the artist invites the audience to participate in an interactive sculpture that builds over time. Visitors are asked to contemplate what is “worth remembering” before visiting the gallery and to bring items, such as photographs, handwritten notes, lucky coins or other personal memorabilia to contribute to a large installation in the gallery. By making a donation of a personal artifact, participants are forced to confront the significance that becomes imbued in treasured objects and the powerful act of surrendering such items.

In exchange for items left, the artist will offer participants the opportunity to select a small unique work of art. This gesture springs from Armstrong’s practice of offering visitors to her studio a small work on paper as a token of their experience. Armstrong has been working on paper for some time as a way to keep active in between larger installations. These small works on paper are often sections of larger works, which she has intentionally selected and removed as the “best” parts.

“Worth Remembering” will also include objects and images from the artist’s studio as well as temporary alterations to the gallery. As with all her installations, Armstrong will document the end result and archive remnants of the interactive project, with the desire to have the experimental project carry on elsewhere. 

“With intent, I design ways to slow down the viewing experience. I create a paused moment that brings forth a certain level of awareness as a way to engage the viewer for longer periods of time." says Armstrong.