Sunday, August 28, 2016

HEKS/SMUK

HEKS/SMUK is a two-part show  at The Front by Michael Arcos and Ryn Wilson with the connecting element being a sound collaboration titled Gentle Touch. This show runs from August 13 - September 4th, 2016. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays 12-5pm.



HEKS (by Ryn Wilson) is a meditation on invented myth, magic and ritual through photography, video and sound collage. This work considers both a conflicted human reverence and persecution towards that which is not understood. 
HEKS was born out of an observation of the way that the term “witch” has evolved in recent popular culture. A word, which in the past was used to accuse women of dissent and evil that would send them towards horrific fates, has become something that describes feminine power now in a more positive light. 
These works utilize a cinematic style combining landscape, geometry and symbolism to evoke a sense of mysticism and the supernatural with a strong, female protagonist at the helm. 






SMUK (by Michael Arcos)
The first of the "Instagram Doom Wave" genre. SMUK is a video triptych viewed through photon rejuvenation masks. The installation gives the viewer a chance to act as voyeur to the humor, sadness, fear, pain, love, lust, obsession, addiction and confusion expressed through one man's Instagram account. 



Gentle Touch, a limited edition of 13 cassette tapes, accompanies the exhibition. A subdued explosion of synth, drum machine, and sampling, Michael and Ryn create an atmospheric, auditory experience to complement the works on view. In a handsome, ethereal, 32 minute special bundle of repurposed white plastic church cassette tapes, Gentle Touch will reach you in unexpected ways.” -PH 

Gentle Touch is a must see and hear” -Robert Englund


Listen to and download Gentle Touch or buy the cassette tape while supplies last.
https://fleariddenkitten.bandcamp.com/album/gentle-touch




Ryn Wilson is a multi-media artist living and working in New Orleans. She works in photography and video, often incorporating other techniques such as collage, sewing, painting, drawing and installation. Her themes revolve around human/nature in conflict with social constructs.
She received her BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her MFA from the University of New Orleans.
Ryn is a costume designer and has been a member of the artist run gallery, The Front, since 2014 where she exhibits, curates and co-founded an annual shorts film festival.
rynwilson.com

Michael Arcos, raised in Miami, FL, began his film career editing on VHS and has been working in film and video for over a decade.
His films have screened at: Calgary Underground Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, Glasgow Short Film Festival, Gasparilla Film Festival, Borscht Film Festival and others.
Arcos most recently wrote, directed, edited and created the sound design for his narrative short Dream Throat. He was commissioned to create live performance installations for site-specific screenings of this film at Prospect 3 New Orleans at The Hotel Monteleone 2014, The Cucalorus Film Festival 2015 and The Standard Hotel in New York City 2016.
Arcos currently lives and works in New Orleans where he formed Dream Throat Productions and S.L.I. Films LLC. He continues to focus on creating new work through film, sound design and animation.

Artist Statement: https://vimeo.com/michaelarcos/myartiststatement
www.sexlabinc.com
www.dreamthroat.com