2009 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

Kandors

September 11, 2009: A Report on Mike Kelley's Kandors Exhibit

By James Lantz.

When people discuss Venice, Italy, they talk about romance and gondolas. Nobody mentions the planet Krypton - until now.

As reported in July on the Superman Homepage, Mike Kelley's "Kandors" is currently being shown in the Punta della Dogana Museum in Venice. "Kandors" is part of Punta della Dogana's "Mapping The Studio" show that began on June 6, 2009. As of this writing, it is not said on the Punta della Dogana's site when "Mapping The Studio" ends. However, November is usually the month when museums in Venice put new exhibits on display.

"Kandors" was inspired by the bottle city of Kandor from the Superman comic books, and my wife and I had the opportunity to see Kelley's work on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

Living in Italy has given me the opportunity to see some of the the most beautiful places and masterpieces in the entire world. I've gotten to feast my eyes on the sculptures of Antonio Canova and be where Romeo had professed his love to Juliet as she stood on the balcony in the Bard's famous play Romeo and Juliet.

Punta della Dogana Museum focuses on modern art. Much of its works either shocked me or left me scratching my head in confusion. I freely admit that most of the creations were not my cup of tea as I prefer artists like Canova, Klimt, Swan and Kirby. "Kandors" was another story. I was blown away by it.

As one enters the dark room where "Kandors" has been placed, glowing structures and landscapes of various hues greet the visual senses. There are even two pieces, one red and the other blue, in the colors of Superman's costume. The luminous artwork honestly made me feel like I was in the Fortress of Solitude or, better yet, on Krypton.

Mike Kelley managed to blend the worlds of the Superman comic books and films well in this rainbow colored spectacle of light. "Kandors" is more than a modern art exhibit. It's a tribute to a superhero icon.

See a series of images from the "Kandors" exhibit at the Jablonka Galerie website.



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