SMASH ART
Social engagement plays a large role in Lahav's practice, particularly related to accessibility of art spaces for children and families. With young children of their own, Lahav noticed galleries and museums often seem unwelcoming to younger audiences. Lahav set out to challenge this status quo in 2022 with an innovative performance inviting children to become active participants in their art.
During exhibitions, Lahav replaces one of their paintings with a "sleeper painting." Unlike traditional artworks on canvas, these “paintings” are crafted from papier-mâché and filled with candy, drawing inspiration from the traditions of piñatas, pinole, and Jewish Purim celebrations. Children are encouraged to break open these unique paintings using a giant paintbrush baton, symbolizing a joyful act of iconoclasm within the conventional settings of galleries and museums.
Lahav comments: "The children instantly grasp the essence of what we're doing; they recognize this as a special event where they're granted permission to engage in a completely unconventional way in museum or gallery settings. This not only makes the moment incredibly joyful and memorable for them but also profoundly shifts a child’s understanding of what contemporary art can be."
