View of Kyle Thurman, “Accumulator,” Sophie Tappeiner, Vienna, 2023
Kyle Thurman, Dream Police (your jaw), 2023, acrylic dispersion, oil, and watercolor on panel in artist’s frame, 126.7 x 187.7 x 7.3 cm. Photo: Joerg Lohse
Kyle Thurman, Dream Police (our breast with eclipse) (detail), 2023
Kyle Thurman, Birthday Pack, 2023, five monotypes (collagraph) in artist’s frame, oil-based ink on paper, each frame 44 x 60 x 4.5 cm
Broad shoulders and massive chests in dripping neons occupy the exhibition “Accumulator” at Viennese gallery Sophie Tappeiner. The Dream Police paintings (all works 2023) by Brooklyn-based artist Kyle Thurman depict robot-superhero hybrids that reference online communities and their 3D-modelled suits. Exposing nothing but shelled surface, paints glamorously – yet not invulnerably – dissolving, these works embrace the urge to armor up, craving for power and the possibilities of digitally creating the self.
Title: ★★★★☆
Looks: ★★★★★
Curatorial concept: n/a
Press text: ★★★★★
Printed matter: n/a
Installation: ★★★★★
Lighting: ★★★★★
Color story: ★★★★★
Execution: ★★★★★
Relevance: ★★★★☆
Boldness: ★★★☆☆
Discourse-friendliness: ★★★☆☆
Viewer-friendliness: ★★★★★
Market-friendliness: ★★★★★
Pleasure factor: ★★★★★
Surprisingness: ★★★☆☆
Thought fodder: ★★★☆☆
Hopefulness: ★★★★☆
THIS SHOW GETS 4 OUT OF 5 GAUNTLETS!
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“Accumulator”
Sophie Tappeiner, Vienna
25 Oct – 9 Dec 2023