By Alan Green
Mixed media artist Vincent Troia will present new works in “I Could Taste Your Lipstick on The Filter,” Laughing Tree Gallery’s second exhibition from Nov. 13 to 27. A recent addition to Seoul’s art scene from Detroit, Michigan, USA, Troia brings with him a unique and thoughtful vision of the world around him
Ernest Becker said, “This is the problem of the artist generally: that he creates his own new meanings and must, in turn, be sustained by them. The dialogue is too inverted to be secure.” This quote is in fact the title of a piece from Troia’s 2010 show at Detroit gallery, Cave. This title is particularly apt for two reasons. First, he titles many of his works with probing, poignant and often lengthy quotes drawn from his voracious readings. Second, Troia’s mixed media constructions clearly exhibit his own process of meaning-making. In his work he repeatedly re-imagines seemingly mundane things into stark, arresting objects which evoke a sense of mystery and meditation.
While Troia’s art objects are clearly beautiful and thoughtful, words fail to do them justice. In a statement for this show the artist indicates he finds poetry in the inexplicable: “What I think of when I make work can't be pinpointed exactly, though a few phrase jabs come to mind: dream fuzz / sunset repeats / sun-bleached trash / rubble / sad alleys / vapor days / moon drunk phlegm lung / flowers / girlfriends / and nice things. In art I prefer vagueness over exactness. Exactness should be left for things like science and mathematics. Vagueness affords more poetic freedom.”
Troia graduated with a BFA from Detroit’s College of Creative Studies in 2007 and went on to open Cave (cavedetroit.com), an alternative art space that he and several other artists have curated since then. He is also a co-owner of Simplified Clothing (simplifiedclothingdesign.com).
An opening reception for “I Could Taste Your Lipstick on The Filter” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 4 to10 p.m. The gallery will be open daily from Nov. 14 to 20 from 4 till 9 p.m., and viewings are available by appointment from Nov. 21 to 27.
Laughing Tree Gallery is the first fine art gallery in the Haebangchon neighborhood of Seoul. The owners, Adam and Jessica Lofbomm, are currently planning to curate more exhibitions by local and international artists and are accepting applications from artists interested in showing their work at the gallery. Inquiries can be directed to Jessica@LaughingTree.com or visit LaughingTree.com for more information.
alangreen@koreatimes.co.kr