Ridiculous-ness
Ridiculous-ness asks artists (and viewers) to reconsider the Real in all aspects of our contemporary paradigm. Does the human race function within a restrictive system, or do we impose restrictions upon ourselves? If all rules and systems are self-imposed, how and where does that leave room for change? Upon realizing the presence of choice among our daily artifice, it is the status quo that becomes truly ridiculous. Inviting a range of artists to respond to an examination of the Real in our daily lives allows the conversation to expand organically, initiating many new avenues of thought.
The Nkisi Project
As a large collaborative installation, the Nkisi Project uses African Nkisi Nkondi statues as a point of departure. The Nkisi statues record actions and resolutions, and can act as a guardian or avenger of the community when activated by a spiritual specialist with insertions (often nails, pegs, or blades). The idea of recording community involvement and manifesting change is the main inspiration taken from Nkisi. By creating a power figure installation, our community, its hopes and actions, are manifested via the insertion of individually made ritual objects. The main structure of the installation, built from wood and cinderblocks, houses a mass of objects made by over 60 different artists. Artists were asked to create a form(s) that is representative of their perspective communities. In addition, artists submitted a single sentence describing the resolution, action, or manifestation that they want the object to affect in their community.
June 3 - July 2, 2016. 965 Gallery at the Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO.
December 11-20, 2014. Ice Cube Gallery, Denver, CO.
