Artist Mike Kelley discusses his diverse artistic practices using found objects and textiles. He delves into his early works, worth in crafts, architectural designs, and countercultural movements. Kelley also explores the influence of A Dorn OS philosophy on popular culture and the utilization of real spaces for artworks.
Mike Kelley's diverse works merge found objects, performance, and video to comment on American culture.
Transitioning from formalist painting to everyday forms, Kelley explores mystical elements and collecting voices of the dead.
Kelley's elaborate drawing installations like 'Monkey Island' integrate language and philosophical positions to explain his sculptures.
Challenging the dichotomy of good and evil, Kelley's works like 'More Love Hours' represent positive and negative qualities simultaneously.
Kelley's exploration of crafted objects as icons of innocence aims to evoke emotional responses and challenge perceptions.
Deep dives
Overview of Mike Kelly's Artistic Background and Collaborations
Mike Kelly, an influential American artist known for his diverse works involving found objects, textile banners, drawings, assemblage, collage, performance, and video, collaborated with artists like Paul McCarthy, Tony Ursler, and John Miller. His work was described as a commentary on American culture, class dynamics, and youthful rebellion.
Evolution of Mike Kelly's Artistic Work
Kelly's early works, such as 'Elegy to the Symphony's Liberation Army' from 1975, reflected his interest in merging popular and subcultural imagery into formalist painting methodologies. His transition to more generic and everyday forms led to creations like the 'Chicken Brooder' and the 'Spirit Collector,' exploring mystical elements like collecting voices of the dead.
Exploration of Two-Dimensional Work and Performances
Kelly delved into two-dimensional work after abandoning formalist painting tropes, creating drawings that illustrated and explained his sculptures in multiple ways. He delved into complex interpretations and explanations surrounding objects, leading to elaborate drawing installations like 'Monkey Island,' integrating language and philosophical positions.
Transition to Working with Craft Materials
A shift towards using homemade craft materials marked Kelly's exploration of worth tied to crafting time, as seen in works like 'More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid' and 'Plush Kundalini and Chakra Set.' He challenged the dichotomy between good and evil by creating versions representing positive and negative qualities simultaneously.
Investigation of Empathy and Childhood Objects
Kelly's focus on empathy and childhood objects led to creations like yarn octopuses and sock monkey formations, exploring the perception of crafted objects as icons of innocence. He further delved into the intersection of infantile iconography and formal representations, aiming to evoke emotional responses and challenge perceptions of crafted objects.
Architectural Exploration and Cutaway Concepts
Kelly's architectural explorations involved recreating every school he attended from memory to uncover repressed trauma sites. He experimented with cutaway concepts and explosions in his models, revealing layers of space and interior compositions. This exploration linked to his interest in deconstructive practices and revealed contexts of memory, abuse, and symbolic crafting.
Influences and Artistic Positioning
Kelly's work reflected influences from artists like Gordon Matta Clark and Dan Graham, emphasizing the visual and psychological impact of cutaways and transparency. His positioning within countercultural and artistic spheres highlighted a critical engagement with popular and artistic conventions, challenging traditional boundaries and inviting discourse.
Conceptual Shifts and Performance Art
Kelly's conceptual shifts towards deconstructing memory and spatial symbolism influenced his performance art and installations, focusing on transparency, revelation, and psychological interpretations. His detailed explorations of abuse, false memory syndrome, and architectural memory reflected a critical interrogation of cultural constructs and personal history.
Enduring Impact of Mike Kelly's Artistic Legacy
Mike Kelly's legacy as an artist lies in his profound explorations of memory, trauma, popular culture engagement, and architectural symbolism. His multidisciplinary approach to art encompassed diverse mediums and themes, challenging viewers to reconsider preconceived notions and engage with complex narratives through a blend of artistic expression and critical discourse.
