Why does an oven exist?

An Art Show by Alec Celis in Collaboration with Elsewhere

Elsewhere Museum hosted artist Alec Celis and his works for an exhibition. An uncommon but not unwelcome change in Elsewhere’s programming, this exhibition featured art made from non-collection materials and left Elsewhere afterward. The show was heralded by Alec Celis with support from Elsewhere communications manager Jordan Robinson and went up January, 28th and January 29th of 2022. Due to COVID-19, the show also was recorded and can be viewed below.

Video Walkthrough and Commentary of Why does an oven exist?

Photos by Jordan T. Robinson

Artist Statement: Why does an oven exist is an exhibition about the revelations I had while alone and making art over the past two years. I noticed that if you find the common function between multiples of the same item, you can find out why that item exists. For example, why does an oven exist? Well, all ovens bake so their purpose must be to bake. Another example follows the act of baking itself, why does baking occur? To change something's chemistry. Every time we bake, it’s for a different reason, but the common function of baking is to change an item’s chemistry. That is what happens every time something is baked. Following this line of thinking, I asked why all things (including humans) existed and the only common function I found was existing at all. That realization is what inspires my work. Each of the pieces here have stories and emotions and intention and accident but have the primary goal and function of existing.

This event was graciously sponsored by the Cemala Foundation and Guilford Works

Without the support of The Cemala Foundation and their Youth Workforce Development, as well as the support of Guildford Works and their Youth Program, this exhibition would not have been possible. Elsewhere Museum and Alec Celis both thank them for their contributions.