Art Exhibition: Between Two Terms

When

Jan. 19, 2027, 10am to 5pm
Show Recurring Dates

Campus Location

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art / Harry Reid Center

Office/Remote Location

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art Window Gallery

Description

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is proud to present Between Two Terms, a series of satirical installations by Las Vegas artist Ali Fathollahi. Fathollahi’s artworks, which will change several times during the run of the show, take a sharply humorous look at the frailty and hubris of public communication. 

As a multilingual Iranian American, the artist is attuned to the gaps between languages and the ways in which words can be exploited to reward, bewilder, or harm different groups of listeners. He knows that it can be hard to see the reality that lies behind the messages we hear. Between Two Terms looks critically at the discrepancies between statements and actions. 

Fathollahi’s interest in conversation is present in his title, which intentionally echoes Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, a parodic internet talk show that turns conventional celebrity interviews into surreal ordeals. Like Galifianakis, he enjoys subverting the viewer’s expectations with unexpected jokes. Between Two Terms can also be seen as a continuation of an installation the artist created in 2023 for the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art’s Emotional Show. There, he devised a concise illustration of miscommunication by positioning two fans so that they blew hot or cold air at one another—a visual summary of two speakers who cannot bring themselves to hear or absorb the other person’s perspective. 

Between Two Terms continues his practice of asking viewers to think about serious issues with playful and deliberate wit. 

About Ali Fathollahi

Ali Fathollahi is a Las Vegas artist who works in performance, installation, and assemblage. Born in Iran, he received a MFA in Illustration/Fine Arts from Azad University in Tehran and co-founded an educational center for visual art and design named The Paper Wings before moving to the United States where he obtained a second MFA from UNLV. His work has been exhibited in Iran, Turkey, and the United States.

Schedule

Between Two Terms will be on view in the Window Gallery of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art from October 23, 2026–May 22, 2027. A reception will take place during the UNLV Art Walk event on October 23, 5–9 p.m. The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is open from Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. It is closed on state and federal holidays. Entry is free.

Partners and Supporters

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art’s Bus to Barrick field trip program is supported by UNLV's Office of Government and Community Engagement and Howard Watts III.

Admission Information

The exhibition is free and open to everyone. 

Contact Information

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art
702-895-3381
barrick.museum@unlv.edu

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