U|R|1|2 - A journey into culture shock, immigration and concepts of home

PORTLAND, Ore. - EntSun -- On view Sept 3-26 at the Imperfecta Gallery, U|R|1|2 is an art installation by Daria Loi.  Viewers are invited to experience the four stages affecting those that migrate to a new home: excitement, irritation, adjustment, and adaptation.

Anthropologist Kalervo Oberg's four stages of cultural shock have been reinterpreted spatially and materially, to enable a personal journey into what the artist, who migrated to the US two decades ago, has experienced — to ultimately engage viewers in reflections on what immigration and home mean. By leveraging light, color, texture, proportion, and sound the artist created a space where to physically and emotionally experience feelings of joy, fear, stability, growth, reflection and serenity.

As Loi explains: "Despite being a US citizen and having lived here for ⅓ of my life, the concept of "home" remains a complicated affair. My accent follows me everywhere, as do my memories of a life, a culture, a way of living that is far, increasingly nebulous yet painfully near and palpable. If you are an immigrant, you know what I mean. If you are the descendant of one, trust that they too knew what I mean. Perhaps if we all reflected on that reality, we'd have more consideration, compassion and understanding of those that left their life behind to join this beautiful experiment called the United States of America. After all, unless your ancestors are indigenous to this country, You Are One (immigrant) Too."

More on EntSun News

• Vboost Celebrates 14 years of Automotive Viral Marketing
• Ignazio Arces Wins Stevie® Award for Maverick of the Year at the 2026 International Business Awards
• SMACK Fighting Championships Debuts a New Sports Concept in Philadelphia
• Tickeron Highlights AI Trading Agent Performance Across Multiple Market Sectors
• 'Only woman electrician in UK film' lifts lids on 90s Hollywood at Capstone Theatre

U|R|1|2 opens on September 3 with an opening reception 5-8pm. On September 19 at 2pm there will be an artist talk focused on the installation concept and background. The installation was possible thanks to contributions by composer Rosśa Crean and fabricator Jesse Pardun.

Gallery Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm – EXCEPT first Wednesdays (closed) and first Thursdays (open 5-8pm only).

The gallery is located at 809 NW Flanders st, Portland OR.

About the artist

Daria Loi is a mixed-media artist and participatory designer with a track record in arts-based research and interactive art. Dr. Loi published 80+ articles, co-edited Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Participatory Design, holds 10+ patents and is columnist for ACM Interactions. She mentors artists and innovators and is on the Board of a number of non-profits. In 2018 she was recognized as one of Italy's 50 most inspiring women in tech & received Intel's Global Diversity & Inclusion Award.

About Imperfecta Art & Design Gallery

imperfecta is an art & design gallery focused on elevating the work and voices of women artists and minority creatives. http://www.imperfecta.xyz