The Philosophical Research Society is pleased to present
STREET DIAMONDS & DIRT
An immersive art installation by Lucien Shapiro
Co-curated by Jessica Hundley
Presented by The Library of Esoterica
On view July 6 – 13 in Los Angeles
Creating potent alchemical transformations through found objects, textures, cast forms, manipulations, and raw substances, artist Lucien Shapiro brings a cathartic body of work to The Philosophical Research Society July 6 – 13, 2024. Taking over the gallery and as well as creating installations throughout the historic campus (from library to lecture room, courtyard to theater) Shapiro will explore themes of life and death through a weeklong run of art, altars, sound, film and performance.
"Treating forgotten objects and memories as treasure," Shapiro explains, "I create a kingdom under which new life is born." Co-curated by Jessica Hundley of TASCHEN's multivolume art book series The Library of Esoterica (where Shapiro's work has been prominently featured), the show will feature an artist talk and screening of Shapiro's experimental film work on Wednesday, July 10, and a final closing ceremony on July 13, with sonic meditations by Gaslamp Killer, Liberate Elemental Forces and Daniel Paul Schubert. The evening will culminate in the PRS library with "Ring My Bell", an audience participatory performance by Shapiro in collaboration with ambient composer Deadly Currents.
Lucien Shapiro Artist Statement
"The most important themes I draw upon in my art practice are transformation, repetition, meditation, and growth. In a world of rapid climate change, by utilizing materials most would discard, I create a raw conversation between treasure and trash. I typically use materials like bottle caps and 'street diamonds' (glass from vandalized cars I sweep off the street), thereby transforming them into something new and hopeful. Through laborious and meditative repetition, I examine how small individual elements, though often overlooked, can come together to create a powerful and transformative whole. By using found and collected materials, I explore ways to reshape and relearn what we are originally taught. There is an inherent duality in my work, namely the contrast of urban materials (which are ephemeral, prescribed, industrial) and an aesthetic of something deeply rooted (poetic, hand-crafted, and eternal). I am interested in dissecting every element that creates the human I am today. This goes back through generations of family trauma, education, parenting, and guidance. Through creation I have the opportunity to tear all of this down and rebuild it over and over again. This is why my work concentrates on objects of intention, like self portraits, portals, protection walls, and earth spells. These forms echo a language that lives in my experiences of deep self work, experimentation and travel.
This fluidity of thought and purpose informs all of my work and currently I'm primarily focusing on the evolution of my inner Self. I am laying bare and opening up to whatever the future may bring. In this way, my work is now more transparent and a symbol of my growth as an artist and as a human."
//lucienshapiro.com
