Emma Safir in "The Best Booths at the 2025 Armory Show, From Imagined Queer Bars to a Soothing Sound Bath"

It’s usually a big no-no to take a photo of an artwork with flash on, as repeated exposure to the harsh light could have long-term effects on the work. But for Emma Safir’s solo presentation, taking an image of her mixed-media pieces is encouraged. When you snap a photo, a section of the canvas seems to disappear as if it’s been digitally edited out. That’s due to how Safir builds up her works, which are constructed via a complex arrangement of some combination of MDF, upholstery foam, reflective thread, reflective fabric, neoprene, Flashe paint, and silk, onto which she digitally prints images from her archive. Safir is interested in visibility and all that it entails.