NEW YORK, NY.- C24 Gallery announces Altered States, an exhibition presenting the work of two Los Angeles based artists, Martin Durazo and Ryan Perez. In a convergence of experience and visual aesthetics, Altered States is an investigation in transformation, referring to different states of being, as achieved by physical and mental manipulation. The title of the exhibition refers to creating an altered state of reality through a narrative visualized by light, line, dimension and color. Altered States is on view September 4 through October 25.
The work of Martin Durazo combines elements of high-design with the grittiness of social subcultures. He mimics the experience of achieving alternative spiritualties with large, abstract canvases covered with big, brushy strokes and gritty squeegee-scrapings of paint. In discussing his work, Durazo writes, I use fluorescent colors to employ what Peter Halley describes as the hyper-real. I find it fascinating that these colors are in vogue fashion-wise. I also feel that they have a relationship to punk and new wave music of the ‘70s and ‘80s, my coming –of-age years. His use of neon paint and metallic suggests both a hyper reality and black light illumination. Transcendental in nature, the works presented in Altered States are a part of a continuing body of work that explores the spiritual aspects of lurid and elicit behavior. The visual result is colorful and instantly attractive - it's audacious and at times flashy, yet always loaded with complex symbolism and stratified references.
The works of Martin Durazo pair perfectly with those of Ryan Perez, whose photographs of exacting studio constructions playfully confound traditional distinctions between artistic and industrial production. His work integrates computer generated and hand painted elements in artist frames, which are configured to trick the eye of the viewer, merging the real and digital world. In describing his work, Perez writes, As an image-maker, I can’t help but contemplate how the majority of the visual world we experience is constructed through a series of identity systems via graphic design… For Perez, his work exists metaphorically within the moment of seduction, when the utility of an object becomes inconsequential to the sensuality of its form and places emphasis on the space between representation and the aesthetic; connecting the sensual with the photographic object. Altered States presents work from two of his most recent series, B.O.G.O. Vision and Grey Bottoms, which use color and form to coincide with symmetry and compliments, creating wildly organic forms free floating in time and space.
Martin Durazo (USA) holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art from Pitzer College. He has exhibited at Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, Mark Moore Gallery, Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, CB1 Gallery, Torrence Art Museum, Pomona College Museum of Art, Harris Art Gallery at the University of La Verne, and White Box New York City.
Ryan Perez (USA) holds a Master of Fine Arts from UC Riverside and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design. He has exhibited at the Control Room, Arts Brookfield at Bank of America Plaza, Raid Projects, Yautepec Gallery, the Riverside Art Museum, and LACMA Special Projects.
