The bardo, a newly opened gallery-café nestled Downtown, took its first step into Charlottesville’s arts scene and welcomed visitors seeking an afternoon of calm reflection Jan. 31 during its grand opening. The space bridges the line between art and community as its patrons can enjoy coffee, baked goods and carefully curated artwork all at once as they peruse the brightly lit two-story establishment.
Brimming with paintings, sculptures and multimedia works by the internationally renowned painter and sculptor Beatrix Ost, the bardo unfolds on the walls of Downtown’s Glass Building. It houses Ost’s works exclusively, which were curated by actor, author and director Syris King-Klem. The bardo’s collection — designed to be a permanent display — encourages moments of personal contemplation within a shared space. The surrealist paintings and sculptures are rooted in explorations of nature, depicting human figures and modern phenomena in striking, dreamlike outdoor settings.
The name “bardo” itself is translated from Tibetan as the idea of the in-between, encapsulating what King-Klem and Ost hoped to elicit when putting together the gallery-café. Ost said that the bardo breaks the fast pace of everyday schedules and inspires curiosity and openness.
“The bardo reminds us of the irreplaceability of time. It is always different and never repeating itself,” Ost said. “In the bardo is where you feel the preciousness of time and confront yourself with it … you can find yourself in there. This is true for our gallery-café and what the word 'bardo' means.”
This grounding philosophy of reflection is present not only in the artwork adorning the bardo’s walls, but also in the architectural layout and ambience of the building. Upstairs, amidst tapestries and tables, lies a door to the “Silent Room,” a distraction-free space dedicated for engaging with one’s thoughts and feelings. A departure from the buzz of the main area, this intentionally quiet room filled with art champions the bardo’s values of intentional pause and presence.
Mere footsteps from the historic Downtown mall, this immersive art environment also features an installation of Charlottesville’s own Cumbre bakery, serving coffee, Argentine pastries and empanadas on the main floor. According to King-Klem, the Argentinian-style café promotes the same ideals he and Ost designed the bardo to embody.
“The cafe works perfectly, as in European and Argentinian culture, coffee is a break in the day where you sit down, have a cup and relax,” King-Klem said. “The Argentinian hospitality and warmth is an extension of the bardo, and [the bakery], by nature and culture, [is] what the bardo is all about.”
Similar to the diversity in its physical structure, the artistic atmosphere of the bardo varies as well, with a collection of 200 works fit to leave an impression on any visitor. Both standalone pieces and connected collections of paintings decorate the walls and animal head-shaped candles rest atop tables. Metallic and silvery statues share the floor space in harmony with gold-graced furniture across the venue. The walls themselves are decorated too, with 3D portrayals of trees ornamented by small sculptures and framed art hung from the branches. In curating this otherworldly exhibition, King-Klem said he focused on the interaction the art would inspire.
“I had to both consider the functionality of the space but much moreso, how the art is in conversation with itself,” King-Klem said. “We displayed works from all [Ost’s] series across all eras and mediums, thus it's curated to be in harmony, not only with the viewer but with the space as a gathering place for the community.”
The bardo’s grand opening brought to life these elements of harmony and interaction, as visitors browsed the walls of paintings and sipped hot coffee. With eyes widened in awe and conversation floating through the open space at the grand opening, the whimsical ambiance reflected the intention and dedication to the vision behind the bardo. King-Klem said this communal connection in experiencing the art was a key consideration in piecing together the bardo.
“It is everything and more than you could hope art does for people,” King-Klem said. “Instead of it being displayed in an isolated way like in a museum, it's woven together based on how we felt inspired. So, people get to experience fine art in this extraordinary way. It's both accessible but exclusive.”
As the gallery-café grows roots into Charlottesville, its owners plan to build on the original vision and find new ways to weave art into the lives of the local community. According to King-Klem, the gallery-café hopes to host events in the near future, such as poetry readings and musical performances. King-Klem and Ost envision the bardo as a staple of the city’s arts scene moving forward.
“We see it easily becoming the best place in town, morning, day and night, for artistic and creative gathering for all types of people,” King-Klem said.
The project is a living ode to Ost’s extraordinary artistic accomplishments, woven together by explorations of myths, transformation, nature and surrealism. Each of her pieces invite personal analysis and self discovery — which Ost experienced in her own artistic journey.
“I was never choosing to be an artist. I always was an artist, which is true for everyone. Both curiosity and silence will teach you to be an avid listener and to create with joy,” Ost said.
A novel addition to the community, the bardo’s visually stimulating gallery and delicious provisions provide the best of two distinct worlds. Inviting guests looking for a snack and an imaginative journey in the in-between, King-Klem and Ost have created a space for creativity and curiosity to circulate for years to come.
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