Perfect Vessels, a Solo Exhibition by David Orr - OPENING DAY

PERFECT VESSELS | a solo exhibition by David Orr

Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Saturday, November 8, 2025

​In the PRS Library

Saturday, September 27th

Opening Day 2-6pm

Opening Reception 4-6pm

The term vessel connotes many things. A container. A craft one travels (or once traveled) in. A conduit through which powerful energy manifests itself. An exquisitely shaped form, once utilitarian, now admired both as artifact and art.

For the images in the Perfect Vessels series, artist David Orr photographs then mirrors half a human skull to simultaneously stylize and reinforce its original, iconic shape. These works are meant to illustrate the original Greek origin of the term symmetria, meaning “agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement.” Many of the skulls photographed by Orr in this series are from the collection of the Mütter Museum, often with unique asymmetries. By mirroring one side and repeating any 'flaws', Orr arrives at something closer to perfection.

This simple gesture can generate complex results. Upon examination, one notices subtle phenomena manifesting themselves within the reinforced whole. Surface textures become further emphasized. Intricate, sculptural patterns emerge. Expressionistic, ‘Rorschach-like’ abstractions begin to appear, often in areas considered auspicious throughout centuries of Eastern thought. These manifestations correlate to another intent of this series. As well as creating a sculptural image that serves as a Memento Mori, Orr has created illustrated reminders of the vast complexities of our own natural shapes. The differences between each are infinite: just as no two faces are truly identical, neither are any two skulls.

The formal balance of the end result further reinforces the notion of a skull as a container (vases, urns, glasses and chalices are most often symmetrical objects). There is a long history of skulls being used as practical vessels. After battles, victors drank from the skulls of the vanquished. Tibetan Buddhists drink from a decorated human skull (kapala, meaning skull, bowl, or vessel) to reinforce precepts of impermanence. Lord Byron drank wine from a skull (and was thus inspired to write a poem about it: Lines Inscribed Upon a Cup Formed From a Skull, 1808).

Of course, the human skull is a powerfully resonant symbol, crossing physical, linguistic, cultural, and religious borders. Skulls have long appeared as metaphors and reminders of our mortality (and, accordingly, the transience of our existence) in every culture—from ancient Tibetan bone art to the Vanitas tradition in Still Life (Nature Morte) painting in the 16th and 17th centuries, to present-day warning signs.

The print images are dye-infused onto archival aluminum discs, and float in a void of black, linking the skull (the housing of the mechanism by which we each create our own discrete models of the universe) to the mandala (an often geometric representation/model of the universe).

The Perfect Vessels exhibition will include prints, stereoscopic, and video works.

Library Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12-6pm and by appointment ([email protected])

​Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

David Orr is a visual artist based in California. His work has been shown extensively in the United States and internationally in shows juried by representatives from the de Young Museum, theInternational Center for Photography, the Lucie Awards, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, The New York Times, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among others. His work is in public collections among such artists as Ansel Adams, John Baldessari, Jim Dine, David Hockney, The Brothers Quay, Edward Weston, and Joel-Peter Witkin.

His work has appeared in Art Daily, Buzzfeed, Communication Arts, Graphis, Harper’s, Hyperallergic, The Photo Review, Print, The Art Director’s Club, The Society of Publication Designers, Psychological Perspectives, The Theosophist, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, VICE, and VICTOR: The Hasselblad Magazine. Independent film projects have aired on Channel 4 Britain and PBS. He speaks about his work regularly, and has presented at The Joseph Campbell Foundation, Death Salon, The Director’s Guild of America, Dublintellectual, The Mütter Museum, The New School, Parsons School of Design, The Philosophical Research Society (where he established the contemporary arts program, served as curator, and founded the Hansell Gallery), Reed College, Tibet House US, and UCLA, among other venues. He is a member of The Long Now Foundation.

David established the contemporary arts program at The Philosophical Research Society, and founded the Hansell Gallery, serving as curator during its first year.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds for PRS events , except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test. Ticket exchanges may be granted on a case by case basis, pending circumstances.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
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• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States