Minneapolis-based art enthusiasts are in for a treat with the opening of “Parts,” a compelling exhibition by Michael Kareken. This showcase, running from October 16th to November 29th, 2014, across two prominent galleries – The Burnet Gallery and the Groveland Gallery – delves into the often-overlooked aesthetics of automotive salvage. Known for his profound exploration of urban landscapes, Kareken shifts his artistic lens inward, presenting a series of works that intimately examine individual Drawing Car Parts.
This exhibition, “Parts,” marks a significant evolution in Kareken’s artistic journey. His previous urban landscapes captured sprawling automotive salvage yards, highlighting the skeletal remains of vehicles stripped bare for their components. These earlier works served as potent commentaries on the economy and environment, observing the deconstruction of these metal behemoths. Kareken himself noted the strong resemblance to the human body in these forms, a sense of violation in their casual dismantling.
However, “Parts” represents a more introspective approach. As Kareken explains, “Automobiles consume a huge portion of our culture. They’re so ubiquitous. I find these discarded elements resonate with me on a number of levels – as a symbol for society, but also for the human condition.” This new body of work moves beyond societal observation into a more meditative realm, aiming to embody “the sense of vulnerability, fragility and disfigurement” inherent in his subject matter. The exhibition features both paintings and drawing car parts, each offering a unique perspective on this theme.
Kareken’s drawings stand out for their delicate and focused rendering of individual components. Pulleys, fans, and belts are meticulously detailed, brought sharply into focus against backgrounds suggested by expressive marks and shadows hinting at the chaotic mechanics that lie beyond the immediate composition. These drawing car parts are not merely technical illustrations; they are sensitive portraits of mechanical fragments, inviting viewers to appreciate their form and texture.
In contrast to the focused precision of his drawings, Kareken’s larger paintings on paper present intricate tangles of engine components. Tubes and wires intertwine in dynamic compositions that explore the figurative potential within these inanimate objects. Employing a collage technique, Kareken enhances the tactile quality of his paintings, mirroring the very textures of his subject.
Describing his innovative technique, Kareken elaborates, “In several new pieces I am using a collage technique to construct the forms of the vehicles themselves. My newest work is created from dozens of old, abandoned drawings that I have ripped apart and recycled into a new image. This technique creates a rough, layered surface that viscerally conveys the feeling of fragmentation and disintegration inherent in the subject matter. At the same time — and paradoxically – the technique gives me a sense of physically building up the subject, as if the collage and painting process is a means of reconstructing or resurrecting the dismantled vehicles.” This process of deconstruction and reconstruction mirrors the very essence of the automotive salvage yards he depicts, transforming discarded elements into compelling works of art.
“Parts” offers a unique opportunity to witness Michael Kareken’s artistic exploration of drawing car parts. The exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the beauty found in the discarded, and to consider the deeper connections between machines, society, and the human condition as revealed through the intricate details of automotive components. Don’t miss this chance to experience Kareken’s evocative portrayal of mechanical vulnerability at The Burnet Gallery and Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis.
