We Hear It All, a breakout solo exhibition and salon by Los Angeles artist Kyle Ng is set to take centre stage at Flux. Transforming the space into a pop-up natural history museum, Ng will unveil a series of life-size dioramas filled with taxidermy animal sculptures, antique artifacts and luxe jewels. The mixed media sculpture exhibition will include an experimental musical performance by artist Tim Biskup and outdoor video installations. A series of limited-edition digital photo prints will be available for purchase. Open to the public, the reception for We Hear It All will take place on Thursday, June 26 from 8 to 11pm, and the show will be on view until July 18, 2008.
The concept for We Hear It All is based on the duality between man and nature. It explores the loss of purity that nature undergoes once it has been touched by the human hand and re-created in man’s vision. Using Disneyland as a symbol, Ng explains “Disney creatures come to exemplify that subjectivity and the heightened self-awareness of man as an object of modernity-undergoing revolutions in industrialization (Tomorrowland) and globalization (Epcot Center and beyond). But in that simulation of organic development, the purity and untainted innocence commonly associated with the natural world is subsequently lost.” For the show, Ng will construct a series of walk-through artificial environments that juxtapose the natural with the unnatural: a bouquet of balloons lifts a squirrel and fox taxidermy sculpture from the forest, a walrus’ tusks are adorned with Swarovski crystals, and a honeycomb hideaway serves as a “tell it to the bees” therapy office.
We Hear It All is the inaugural show for Flux’s new concept space located in Venice – a neighborhood of Los Angeles. Promoting the private salon experience, Flux will host intimate multi-media exhibitions throughout the year, including special events and guest lectures. Meg and Jonathan Wells curate the salon space, which is an exciting new addition to Flux’s global network of events, including Flux’s Screening Series at the Hammer Museum. “The idea behind opening up our space was inspired by the tucked away creative spaces found in Tokyo like a cool design store inside an office building, a piano bar in a 150 sq. ft. mezzanine or a private club on an entire floor of a residential building but all in a very confined space”, Meg Wells explains. “Venice is a small city concentrated with a high number of creative people and we want them to find a destination in Flux. Kyle’s work is fresh, contrary and unexpected and is the perfect launch to embody the changing context of the space. Flux will become an outlet for young and new collectors where limited-edition, affordable art can be acquired in a cozy social setting.”
Kyle Ng’s We Hear It All
Opening Reception Thursday, June 26, 2008, 8-11pm
On View June 26 to July 18, 2008
Flux, 326 Sunset Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
