Welcome

For the Wars That Aren't Physical is my first heartwork, and as such I felt like it deserved a full exhibit. This exhibit is designed to take you on a journey through my creative process so that you can hopefully connect with the material in a deeper way. There's something here for just about everyone, so without any further ado, let's get to the first component, the fashion.  

Loki Collection Limited Edition

This collection is named after the Norse god Loki, because during the first month of connecting with him, I had the idea to do this exhibit. And I thought it would be an exhibit dedicated to him. I started a couple paintings, did quite a few tarot readings, and designed the collection below before I finally understood why Loki showed up when he did: it was time to write the book. 

"You want to do an exhibit?" he asked. "Do one for the book." 

"You want to showcase something? Put your heart on display."

I shouldn't have been surprised. One of the first videos I saw when I began connecting with Loki discussed how he was a god of truth; how he would throw it in your face and refuse to allow you to lie, especially to yourself. He is also a shapeshifter, and so in true Lokean form, this exhibit morphed from being something purely in his honor into something that was entirely about my raw, unfiltered truth. Exposure. Vulnerability. 

My inner child is honored with the collection as well, as adolescent Ari always wanted to be a fashion designer and a writer. The clothes may not seem to directly tie to the book, but without them and Loki's nudge, this book would still be sitting between my journal covers. It seemed only right that the fashion be included here as well.  

NOTE: 20% OF PROFIT FROM SALES OF THIS COLLECTION WILL BE DONATED TO THRIVE YOUTH CENTER, A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS HOMELESS LGBTQIA+ YOUTH IN SAN ANTONIO.

The Paintings

I like to say that the years 2019-2021 can go in the trash and rot there, and while I do feel that to the depths of my being, I must also appreciate and acknowledge how those years brought me back to myself, back to my love of anything creative. Included in that category, is painting. I'm not professionally taught and haven't done it all my life. In fact, I've run from it more than embraced it. But the ideas have only cried out even more when I have tried to ignore them, so here's to embracing another shadow:

Triggered 24"x18"

Many poems from the first section of the book, The Trigger, inspired this painting. The painting (and the poems) discuss words as a trigger, pain in the background, and the monster I created that patiently waited for me to give it my attention.

The Bridge 24"x30"

There's much that can be said about this one: a train leading to my elbow, which leads to the hand choking my neck, over which my hair flows into water which transforms into a blue flame...there is not enough space to go into it all here. The overall message: if I myself am the bridge, no one has the right to be angry if/when I burn myself away.

Ari Unbound 16"x20"

Inspired by the poem of the same name, this is a representation of me (in my Loki bikini) swimming from the core of the Earth to bloom anew, having been molded by the fire at the core.

Videos "For the Wars"

I have always resented the idea of poetry slams or readings, ever since I began writing in my single digits. I mean, it's right there on paper for you to read at your own pace, as many times as you need to make sure you understand. Why do I have to recite it, leaving the words floating on air to be understood or misinterpreted at will? I can't say that I feel any different now, if I'm being honest. I'm just at a place in life where I'll throw everything at the wall (or on the floor) and see what sticks. So here are some of the poems that will be featured in For the Wars That Aren't Physical.

The Acrylic Truth

Since No One Made My Hype Man Dreams Come True

ALTAR-ED

The Book

Finally you have arrived at the culmination. I have created clothes, videos, paintings, an LLC, a website, and an exhibit...all for this. I hope you get whatever you need from reading it. I certainly did in writing it.