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I am so deeply scared about the harm we are now inflicting to the delicately balanced ecosystems of our world. While artists court success in the realm of fine art and expensive modern luxuries (Food? Good food? A little peace and shelter to call ones own?) ~teeming ocean cities are trawled barren. Jungles are sacrificed for nothing.
The cost is too great - the inertia of such ignorance (or is it apathy?) is steep.
The world will always need fish. Try eating art.
In my mind I have built myths about myself. I envision the vast treasury of creations I will leave successive generations. Which patrons, how many and how rich shall come to support this private endeavor?
How worth it are these motivations when my heart aches for the dying reefs?
So here is my ‘WHITNEY BIENNIAL’
Has a nice ring to it, no?
I’ve composed it throughout my whole life.
It just gets better with age.
It sings into both eyes.
This is but a fraction of its fullness.
It both rejects and embraces commodification.
It wants to let you in, as it wants to speak out loud, as it wants to remain hidden, as it wishes to belong, as it weeps for the world we inhabit.
How else are we to grieve if not by the transmutation of all what surrounds us into fragments of ecstatic bliss?
~Alex Kalil May 1, 2023
'Welcome to the Whitney Biennial!'
assorted paper collage, and trimmers
Backpack
backpack with various materials affixed to exterior including, tags, patches, plastic bags, metal, gemstones, and cookies.
Street Assemblage
materials scavenged during a trip to Austin, TX, paper bag, plastic plants, cigarette box, sandwich skewers, and a typed poem
Traveled to Austin for the wedding of Emma and Stephen. Returned with much joy, and the little bit of street detritus used to enact this composition.
Chalice
handbuilt ceramics attached to plastic cup
Surprisingly good to hold and to drink from. A+
Chalice & Goblet
handbuilt ceramics attached to plastic paint-cups
Exploring the possibilities combining ceramics with un-traditional materials. The sky do be the limit.
KARL, 2023
cut paper collage
who or what is KARL?
KARL is a phenomenon. Is KARL Banksy? It's possible. Is KARL an acronym. It's possible. What is going on? ...It's possible.
'In My Perfect World'
assemblage of handmade shelf unit, assorted sculpture, ephemera, notes, and images, as well as projected videos from my life.
a collage of collages, an assemblage of assemblages. this piece houses an abstract story of friendship, love, playfulness, and vulnerability. the videos on loop came from all different eras of my life, as do the various gifts, keepsakes and art-pieces which populate the shelf.
Ganesh Totem
totem pole sculpture incorporating a collage 'Cornucopia of Love' a vase of sunflowers, and a textile assemblage, 'Little Brother/Little Sister'
sacred love song to art, the soul and the connections which interweave the universe... in the form of a totem pole.
Plain Sculpture
plaster shape, packing materials, rope, clothespin
what is it? is it a box? is it trash? why is it up so high on the wall? is that art?
'Euphoria' or 'Jubilation'
(work in progress)
hand stitched applique on canvas dropcloth,
a litany of both incidental and carefully placed marks built onto one raw canvas surface.
Extraordinary Plant Lamp
clover, gifted ceramics, plastic bucket, rotating animation underlight, rope, wooden stool
a joyful lamp assemblage constructed from materials on hand
Chappaquiddick Dream
photo print 8" x 10"
Table Totem
tables, amazon delivery bag, replica cy twombly sculpture, G.I. Jane yoga figurines, trash art, looping audio recording
The second of the three large totems. Tables stacked on tables, populated by gluey plastic sculptural assemblage. If you get close, you might've been drawn closer by the sounds emanating from within a scribbly-painted amazon delivery box of bright green, red, and yellow. Sounds of snippets of song, moments of zen, or laughter, from a looping collage of voice memo phone recordings.
Waterbottle Chandelier
waterbottles, tape
'ELBOW DUSK TELEVISION TELECASTER'
cut paper collage and assemblage.
My intuition kept telling me to make a collage of the word 'elbow.' I resisted. But when I finally surrendered and obeyed the call, this piece was born. A reminder to trust your intuition even when you think it wrong.
Totem Pole 1
dresser, table, shelf, fishtank, four sculptures, plant
The big totem. A self portrait in parts.
Hopeful Creature
handbuilt ceramic animal, beads, wood, berry, snail shell
Pile
braided fabric, ceramic vessels, plastic cup, mirror
Frightened Self Portrait in Red
handbuilt ceramic assemblage
Proud Self Portrait Assemblage
handbuilt ceramic animal, text reads 'alex- let your intuition guide you'
'Archic Symbol'
painted/braided canvas, handsewn applique
What I consider the 'best' work of art I have yet created (as of May 2023) it is the beacon/guiding light of my studio as I strive to create more works with this feeling of allure, peacefulness, comfort, interest. Came to me in a vision and built up slowly over the course of a few weeks.
THANKS FOR ATTENDING THIS WHITNEY BIENNIAL. HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON. ~ALEX KALIL
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