"Patterns of Disturbance"
Carmen Menza solo show
RO2 Art Gallery
2606 Bataan St., Dallas, TX

November 2 through January 11, 2025



(Dallas) Ro2 Art is proud to present Patterns of Disturbance, an immersive exhibition by Dallas-based interdisciplinary artist Carmen Menza. Known for her explorations of perceptual phenomena, Menza’s newest body of work delves into themes of reflection, disquiet, and hope through light-based installations and neon text statements. In Patterns of Disturbance, Menza harnesses light not just as a medium but as an active force, using materials like neon, LED lights, glass, resin, and mirrors to alter the viewer’s sensory experience. Her use of optical illusions and textural elements such as reflective surfaces invites viewers to become part of the work, challenging their perceptions of space, time, and the self.
This exhibition continues Menza’s fascination with the properties of light and language, examining how words shape our human connections, particularly in the context of current political and social climates. Through text-based works, she navigates fundamental human rights and presents cautionary statements that resonate with today’s environment. Employing techniques like heat-gun manipulation to melt and transform materials, Menza’s process embraces an ephemeral quality that underscores the fleeting nature of existence. As viewers engage with these light-activated pieces, they encounter an interplay of disturbance and beauty, a reflection of Menza’s acknowledgment of the ‘dimming of hope’ in recent years and the resistance required to preserve freedoms in an increasingly fragmented world. Opening November 2, 2024, Patterns of Disturbance will be on view through January 11, 2025 at Ro2 Art Gallery, 2606 Bataan St., Dallas, TX