Skirball Cultural Center presents Common Ground, a community-activated artwork by Los Angeles–based artist Adam Silverman. The exhibition celebrates American pluralism while also fostering human connection through shared meals and collaborative installations. It is currently on display in Ruby Commons through January 5, 2025. It is FREE to see for all Skirball visitors.

Skirball Cultural Center Common Ground

Silverman initiated the participation of nearly one hundred people from across the country. The artist collected clay, water, and wood ash from all fifty American states, Washington DC, and the five inhabited US Territories (Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands). He then combined these materials to make a single, fully integrated, new material, erasing the borders of statehood and reimagining the country as a single, unified place. Silverman used this new combined material to make the glazes for Common Ground, which includes a tableware set of fifty-six plates, fifty-six bowls, fifty-six cups, as well as fifty-six ceremonial pots. The 224 objects are similar to one another in form, size, and composition, yet each is intentionally unique—just like each human being. The ceramics are intended as tools to facilitate conversation and build community.

Skirball Common Ground

Adam Silverman with installation of Common Ground ceremonial pots at Grace Farms, New Canaan, CT. Photo: Jacek Dolata, courtesy of Adam Silverman.

During a time of widespread division in the United States, Common Ground hopes to bridge political, cultural, and socioeconomic differences by bringing people together around the expansive possibilities of shared human experiences.

Common Ground will be on display in Ruby Commons through January 5, 2025; It is FREE to see for all Skirball visitors;

What: Common Ground
Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, 90049
When: Running now through January 5, 2025, Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00pm; Saturday – Sunday, 10:00am–5:00pm;
Website: https://www.skirball.org