There is a quiet, persistent gravity in the human heart that pulls us toward the horizon. We’ve all felt it—that shimmering belief that “over there,” the colors are more vivid, the air is clearer, and the grass is invariably greener. But what happens when we stop reaching for the fence and start looking at the soil beneath our own feet?
On January 29th at 12 PM SLT, The Kondor Main Art Gallery invites you to a profound shift in perspective. We are proud to present “THE GRASS ON THE OTHER SIDE,” a striking new exhibition by the visionary Zia Branner.
For those familiar with Zia’s journey, her work is often defined by a meticulous marriage of linguistic meaning and architectural structure. However, this series marks a brave evolution. For these pieces, Zia has stepped away from her usual methods to embrace a “puzzle of painting” that prioritizes movement and flow over rigid form.
By shedding the structures that often guide her hand, she has allowed the work to find its own rhythm. It is intuitive, visceral, and deeply human—a creative “Kopfkino” (head-cinema) brought to life through acrylics and raw emotion.
The exhibition centers on three premiere works that act as pillars for our collective introspection: SAUDADE, ESPELHO, and SEHNSUCHT.
SAUDADE: In this piece, we see a dance of organic, petal-like shapes in shades of deep plum and teal, layered against a grounded moss green. It captures that melancholic presence of absence—the beauty in what is no longer there.
ESPELHO: A vibrant mirror of the soul, this canvas features bold, vertical black strokes that anchor a sea of energetic pinks and earthy reds. It challenges us to examine what we project onto the distance and what is reflected back from our own ground.
SEHNSUCHT: Dominated by a passionate, textured red, this work uses winding, golden-yellow outlines and pops of turquoise to map the “inconsolable yearning” for a far-off place. It is a visual representation of the essential human need to long for more.
Zia isn’t here to provide a map or a set of answers. Instead, she creates a sanctuary of contemplation where we can ask: Why do we look away from where we stand? Perhaps the grass on that distant plot only seems greener because we haven’t looked closely enough. Perhaps our own ground has more to offer than we ever imagined. Zia’s work narrows the distance between the “there” and the “here,” encouraging a moment of radical honesty and independent thought.
To complement the intuitive flow of Zia’s brushwork, the opening will feature a live set by DJ Leo. His soundscape will mirror the exhibition’s themes, providing a melodic bridge between the internal self and the external world.
In a world that constantly demands we look toward the “next” thing, this exhibition is a rare invitation to pause. It is a chance to literally and figuratively add color to the everydayness of existence.
Event Details
Opening: January 29th | 12 PM SLT
Venue: The Kondor Main Art Gallery – 2
Featured Artist: Zia Branner
Music: DJ Leo
Experience the shift in perspective. We look forward to seeing you there.
Beyond the Canvas: A Season of Art & Mystery at Kondor Art Center
This January, the Kondor Art Center transforms into a sanctuary for both the seeker and the sleuth. We are thrilled to announce a dual event that bridges the gap between internal reflection and external investigation.
Part I: The Grass on the Other Side by Zia Branner
Opening January 29th at 12 PM SLT, we premiere a transformative series by Zia Branner. Known for her structural precision, Zia has pivoted toward a “puzzle of painting” focused on movement and flow. Through works like SAUDADE, ESPELHO, and SEHNSUCHT, she invites us to look at the “grass beneath our feet” rather than yearning for the horizon.
With DJ Leo providing a live soundscape for the opening, this is an afternoon dedicated to the beauty of being “here.”
Part II: The Mystery of “The Missing Torso”
But the contemplation doesn’t end at the gallery walls. From January 29 to March 29, we invite you to step into “The Missing Torso”—a cultural mystery game that turns the entire Kondor Art Center into a detective’s playground.
The Case: A prominent artwork has vanished.
Your Mission: Explore our venues, find hidden fragments, and click them to receive clues. Once you locate the missing torso, capture a photo and write your own narrative theory explaining its disappearance.
Whether you write a noir detective story, a poetic reflection, or a surrealist theory, we want to hear your voice. With a 8,000 $L prize pool, gift cards, and certificates at stake, it’s time to let your imagination run wild.
Questions and clarifications may be addressed in-world or via notecard to Hermes Kondor.
