Duty-Free Paradise: A Profound Exhibition by Lani Asunción at the Mills Gallery

Boston Center for the Arts is currently housing a powerful and thought-provoking art exhibition that challenges perceptions and delves deep into cultural understandings. Titled "Duty-Free Paradise," this exhibition, curated by J.R. Uretsky, showcases the extraordinary works of artist Lani Asunción. Running from January 20 to April 13, 2024, the showcase at the Mills Gallery is not just an art exhibition; it's a profound statement on culture, history, and identity.

Queen Liliuokalani's poignant words, "Alha is to learn what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable," set the tone for this immersive experience. Aloha, a term that goes beyond the simplistic English translations of love and greetings, represents an unseen, connective force—a cultural understanding of care that Asunción explores and honors through her work.

"Duty-Free Paradise" is Asunción's artistic narrative, portraying the complex relationship between the lived and the imagined Hawaii. It's a critique of the idyllic paradise presented to tourists, a facade built on American pop culture, yet underpinned by the harsh realities of militarism and biopolitics. Asunción, through her art, navigates these contradictions, presenting a Hawaii that is more than a tourist destination—it's a land with a rich, yet tumultuous history.

The exhibition is a journey through the lens of tourism, highlighting how the Hawaiian Islands' economy is intertwined with this industry. However, Asunción's work goes beyond mere critique. It's an exploration of "what is not said," the in-between spaces that connect American histories, offering narratives that empower and unite against cultural violence, oppression, and ancestral intergenerational trauma.

The exhibit features Asunción's videos, sculptures, and performances, each a tribute to the Kanaka Maoli culture and the Filipinx diaspora. Her art sheds light on the dark impacts of imperialism and U.S. militarization, transforming Hawaii from a free sovereign state into a commercial paradise. Yet, even as she critiques, Asunción's work is imbued with ritualistic care and reverence, embodying characters that challenge colonialism and imperialism.

Accompanying the exhibition are public programs, including an opening reception on Friday, January 26, and performances by Lani Asunción, Shey 'Rí Acu' Rivera Ríos, and Anabel Vázquez Rodríguez on Saturday, March 16. These events promise to enrich the exhibition experience, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the themes explored in Asunción's work.

"Duty-Free Paradise" is not only a showcase of artistic brilliance but also a testament to the support and recognition of art and culture by various esteemed institutions. The Boston Center for the Arts, alongside national and local arts councils, and generous corporate and individual donors, underscores the significance of art in fostering cultural dialogue and understanding.

As the exhibition unfolds at the Mills Gallery, visitors are invited to engage with Asunción's profound works, to ponder the unseen and to learn from what is not said. "Duty-Free Paradise" is more than an art exhibition; it's a cultural introspection, a dialogue, and a celebration of resilience and identity. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this transformative experience, a journey through history, culture, and the depths of the human spirit.