Los Angeles-based multimedia artist, Barminski will be opening his “Moon Lands On Man” showcase in Hong Kong this week. Presented by JPS Gallery, the show takes on the form of a large-scale, and fully immersive installation.nAt a glance, “Moon Lands On Man” depicts playful, imaginary spaces crafted entirely of cardboard — the kind of playground that most have dreamed of as children. Beneath the childlike visuals and nostalgic setups lies messages and notions that are much less innocent.
As this is Barminski’s world after all, controversial messages and polarizing notions are weaved into the exhibit, topped with the artist’s usual satirical tone. In the case of “Moon Lands On Man,” Barminski expanded on the theme of moon landing conspiracy theories with a quirky and tongue-in-cheek approach. Visitors will be transported into Barminski’s toy store, where the shelves are decked with astronaut action figures as well as Star Wars, Gundam, and Ultraman merchandise.
Through the staff corridor, guests will arrive in a restricted “Area 51” that emulates the mysterious military facility in the Department of Defence. The space is a mock-up of Apollo 11’s control room, decked with hints prompting visitors to proceed to a film set, where they’ll discover the “truth.”
In the official press release, Barminski described his cardboard artwork as “simultaneously real and fake as it depends on the viewer’s expectation.” He added that “If they expect it to be a real Star Wars toy, then it’s fake. If they expect it to be a piece of art, then it’s real.”
Opening on July 28 in LANDMARK ATRIUM, Barminski’s “Moon Lands On Man” installation will remain on view until September 17.
JPS Art Gallery
Shops 218-219, 2/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM,
15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Elsewhere in art, Brazil’s Instituto Inhotim has opened a new permanent gallery devoted to Yayoi Kusama.
