Drop Date: January 5, 2023
Platform: SuperRare x ONBD Space
Featured Artists: Cecilia Goose, Maiko Kikuchi, Liunic, The Sid, Resatio, Paper Buddha
Our worlds are collages of dreams. Myriad complex, dynamic perceptions allow us to make sense of the world we live in. However, sometimes one’s personal perspective can affect their ability to comprehend their surroundings; they create a vision that they want to see, a vision so convincing that they become blinding. In Buddhism these are known as ‘interferences’. The Buddhist goal of “seeing without interference,” alludes to the hope to seek clarity by shedding the layers of narratives that we created ourselves. Do we really want to seek the truth? Or is it better to remain in our world of dreams?
Dreams, dropping on January 5th, 2023 on ONBD’s SuperRare Space brings together a group of artists who explore the unique medium of digital collage. We are excited to present works by Cecilia Goose (Twitter handle: @ceciliaccx), Maiko Kikuchi (Twitter handle: @maikoKikuchinyc), Liunic (Twitter handle: @liunic), The Sid (Twitter handle: @mysteriovision), Resatio (Twitter handle: @resatio), and Paper Buddha (Twitter handle: @paperbuddha). All of the artists interpret and construct their collages through a distinctive perspective, but some shared concepts can also be found.
The artists suggest different versions of their realities, of which the viewer is welcome to peel back as many layers as they wish, or keep as is — the works allow the viewer to construct or deconstruct the collaged dreamscape, to mentally separate the layers, or imagine what lies behind them. Collage art is thought-provoking in nature: how are meanings created and combined? Is the viewer meant to interpret the symbolism behind the layers, or is it the artists’ intention what matters most, as they are the ones to choose to hide and reveal their imagery?
One of the often discussed ideas behind collage art is its peculiar sense of space. Removing the constraints of physical space and the limitations of time, artists Maiko and The Sid explore the interplay between visual perception and spatial scale. In How To Live In Your Dream Home Space, spatial perception is flat, as it is animated in 2D; however, it’s also changing, expanding, and contracting under Maiko’s altering. The Sid is a master of manipulating our perception of depth in his collages, using architectural renderings to and geometric forms to play with flatness and three dimensional space. He adds whimsy to his pieces with collaged vintage illustrated characters that populate his utopian world.
Collage can be full of personal touches; it combines elements that are all chosen from a distinct context, a process that involves a freeing exercise of letting the subconscious mind tell you about yourself. Innerchild by Liunic is a tribute to the raw and often unfiltered creativity of her younger self, and a process of healing her neglected childhood wounds. Are You Lost Or Caffeine Hasn’t Kicked In Yet? by Resatio expands on his recent body of work where he allows his ‘unconscious’ mind to select and compose his artworks, in the spirit of ‘automatic drawing’ processes employed by the Surrealists.
Layers of meaning can combine to investigate spiritual concerns as well. Paper Buddha’s Portals is created in his immediately recognizable style, a mesmerizing combination of Buddhist and pulp imagery. Portals portrays the deity Vaiśravaṇa, carrying his characteristic umbrella (chatra), a symbol of his sovereignty, and holding a mongoose carrying a jewel in its mouth. The mongoose is the enemy of the snake, a symbol of greed or hatred; the jewel coming out of its mouth represents generosity. Paper Buddha seamlessly weaves ‘retro’ sci-fi imagery into the piece, adding a fantastical element to the composition. Cecilia Goose’s Last Pond on Earth is less overtly spiritual, but it carries a message of her communion with Nature. The piece depicts a landscape that overflows with life, a dreamscape of purple flora and fauna that is meant to convey her love of the natural world, and a call to preserve its fragility.
Hear “Dreams” from the artists’ side:
GetONBoarD Episode 14: Collage for a new dream
Date: January 5, 2023
Hosted by ONBD (Masako Shiba)
Speakers: Paper Buddha ; Maiko Kikuchi; Eva Ren; Postwook;
Recording (1h 10m): https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1OyJAVbXqPyxb
