Borrowing from the astrophysical term, Juan Miguel Palacios’ new solo show, Your Event Horizon, delves deeply into the fluid and evolving nature of identity, shaped by the intersection of our personal experiences and the environments we inhabit. The exhibition also continues his long-standing exploration of the boundaries between abstraction and figurative representation, a constant theme in his Variations series.
At the core of this body of work is the concept of the “event horizon” as the point of no return. The boundary around a black hole, a threshold beyond which nothing can escape, not even light. Palacios uses this phenomenon as a powerful metaphor for pivotal moments in life that lead t irreversible personal transformation. These are moments where our internal shifts are so profound that, although invisible or incomprehensible to others, they alter the trajectory of who we are. Just as nothing can escape a black hole’s event horizon, Palacios suggests that once we pass through certain life events, we can never return to our former selves. These personal “event horizons” define our identity and the internal universe we carry within us.
In this series, Palacios seamlessly merges traditional painting with collage, using collage as the primary technique to reflect the fragmented nature of identity. Collage, with its layering and piecing together of disparate elements, becomes a perfect medium for representing the construction of self and how it is formed from a multitude of fragmented experiences. Palacios’s creative process is as conceptual as it is visual. He begins by creating spontaneous, abstract images—random brushstrokes, drips, and paint splatters—on a separate surface, which are then peeled off and collaged onto the canvas. By transplanting these abstract forms into a structured, recognizable space, he explores how these seemingly meaningless marks acquire a new sense of realism and dimensionality. The abstract, when placed within the context of a familiar environment, takes on weight and significance, illustrating how perception and context transform meaning.
Your Event Horizon is an exploration of the complexities of identity and transformation. Palacios invites viewers to reflect on the profound changes that shape us and the invisible boundaries we cross in the journey of self-discovery.
Your Event Horizon is on display at AHA Fine Art in Chelsea until December 8th. Stop by and tell them Quiet Lunch sent you!
Kurt McVey began his journalism career as a prolific contributor to Interview Magazine where he covered emerging and established names in the art, music, fashion and entertainment worlds. He has since contributed to The New York Times, T Magazine, Vanity Fair, Paper Magazine, ArtNet News, Forbes, Whitehot Magazine, and many more. A Long Island native, McVey is also a successful artist, model, performer, entrepreneur, and screenwriter working out of NYC.