pae white: let’s see

Let’s See is a fragment of a light beam, a constellation of shifting possibilities that respond in real-time to the rhythm of the viewer’s perspective. It is an ongoing conversation about what might unfold—the dynamic interplay between opacity and transparency, and the experience of inhabiting a space alive with sensibilities.

Two artists come together—though not for the first time—embracing chaos and uncertainty, ready to explore the unknown while honoring artisanal traditions. A friendship woven over 30 years, Jorge Pardo (Havana, Cuba, 1963) and Pae White (Los Angeles, United States, 1963) return to the heart of Cerámica Suro after decades of regular trips to Guadalajara since the late 1990s. Together, they challenge their practices by exploring local techniques, engaging in collective dialogue, and sharing trust in the beauty of surprise.

Let’s See presents independently produced, conceptually driven projects by both artists, culminating in a serendipitous and organic encounter. Their visits to the factory were anachronistic, as they intermittently discussed the feasibility of their ideas with José Noé Suro, who rarely rejected a proposal and, in fact, often encouraged even the most preposterous ones. The projects began to take shape through a distant yet persistent collaboration. This unique off-site studio experience involved working with fabricators across various locations while maintaining an ongoing conceptual dialogue. The aim was to allow the moving parts to gradually coalesce, fostering an unexpected affinity for the unknown, along with the hope and uncertainty surrounding the final outcome.

The works first came together during the exhibition installation, reflecting a shared history of complicity that shaped their early careers in the Los Angeles art scene. This history is grounded in their distinct ways of perceiving and understanding what constitutes a work of art. Both artists’ practices center on the potential of an artwork to exist independently, transforming both the space it occupies and itself in the process. The role of the object, the idea of “beauty” as a tool for interpretation rather than a fixed definition, and the seductive disruption between art and design are key catalysts in their work. Here, chandeliers fracture space, expanding our perception of scale; blown glass filters light, creating immersive atmospheres; and ceramics’ delicate fragility challenges the very notion of error. These works stand as a testament to both improvisation and mastery. Pardo and White invite us to engage with their works, considering light, echoes, and architecture as active agents that shape a unique experience—one that is created, consumed, and shared, shifting with location, time, and context. Let’s See is a proposition to let visual curiosity and emotional impulses guide our interpretation of what is observed. It encourages us to get closer, noticing how, intuitively, the works prompt reflection on our responses to both familiar and unfamiliar objects. These works evoke memories, challenge our perceptions, and inspire us to reimagine them in new worlds. What might seem obtuse at first becomes compelling upon closer examination.