6/3/2009
Laura Kikauka
Spacex, Exeter
Celebration of Failure. For this exhibition, the entire gallery space will be transformed, creating a completely immersive environment of densely structured works of bizarre objects in florid excess. Kikauka works with the things that others throw away creating spectacular interiors from disposed and superfluous things.
Spacex is pleased to present the first solo exhibition in the UK of Canadian artist Laura Kikauka. Kikauka has been exhibiting installation work, electro-mechanical sculpture, and performing since the early 1980s.
For this exhibition, the entire gallery space will be transformed, creating a completely immersive environment of densely structured works of bizarre objects in florid excess. Kikauka works with the things that others throw away creating spectacular interiors from disposed and superfluous things.
Kikauka mainly relies on found objects to transform her life and surroundings into thematic environments. She regards and appreciates supermarkets, thrift and surplus stores, flea markets and rubbish dumps as contemporary cultural ‘museums’ and carefully sorts the chaos of her finds.
Kikauka’s ‘excessive aesthetic’ addresses issues of consumer culture; the question of good and bad taste; and celebrates failure in a humourous and ironic manner. The work raises questions about taste, waste, consumerism, collections and consumption. These are all pertinent issues which reflect current debates concerning the environment, mass culture and capitalism.
Exhibition Launch Saturday 7 March 3-5pm with a talk by Laura Kikauka at 4pm, all welcome.
Spacex
45 Preston Street - Exeter