Mark Ryden's latest exhibition, "Eye Am," has descended upon Los Angeles' Perrotin gallery like a whimsical dream. This solo show is an extension of the artist's long-standing practice as the godfather of Pop Surrealism. A world of bizarre beauty and unease awaits viewers in 12 new works by the cult artist.
Inside, one finds themselves amidst a fantastical realm where bizarreness reigns supreme. Buccaneers, Pierrot clowns, and creatures with stag-like antlers wander freely, inspecting portraits of crowned Bye-Lo babies, taxidermy displays in elaborate tableaux, and artworks that seem to defy explanation. The atmosphere is one of curiosity and playfulness, akin to something Ryden might have conjured himself.
In his Instagram posts leading up to the exhibition's opening, Ryden had invited fans to don costumes, mirroring the themes of identity and performance present throughout the show. This was not an invitation to merely participate but to immerse oneself in a world where reality is fluid and meaning is subjective.
Mark Ryden's artistry revolves around capturing the essence of spiritual connection through his surreal landscapes. He delves into the realm of the symbolic, often blending mythology with pop culture references. By deftly marrying science and spirituality, he creates worlds both mystifying and awe-inspiring. In these dreamlike realms, boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.
The artist has long explored themes of cosmic connection and unity, with his work sometimes evoking ancient mysticism and other times referencing the mundane. His exploration of this dichotomy is an integral part of his oeuvre, where the grotesque becomes sublime and the sublime becomes palatable.
Ryden believes in allowing his intuition to guide him rather than adhering to a predefined plan or intention. This results in artworks that unfold with skillful dexterity and an undercurrent of mystery. One such piece is "Eye Am #181," featuring what could be interpreted as a yam, pineal gland, or higher self lying wide-eyed in a bed, staring at the title of the exhibition.
At its core, Ryden's artistry revolves around his capacity to tap into the mysterious and reveal it through artistic expression. When asked about the significance behind some of his pieces, he deftly sidesteps clear explanations and instead emphasizes the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment as a guiding principle for his work.
"Eye Am" serves not only as an exhibition but also an invitation for viewers to partake in this dreamlike journey. Through Ryden's artwork, we are invited into realms both familiar and unknown, places where wonder and whimsy await those willing to surrender to the surreal.
Inside, one finds themselves amidst a fantastical realm where bizarreness reigns supreme. Buccaneers, Pierrot clowns, and creatures with stag-like antlers wander freely, inspecting portraits of crowned Bye-Lo babies, taxidermy displays in elaborate tableaux, and artworks that seem to defy explanation. The atmosphere is one of curiosity and playfulness, akin to something Ryden might have conjured himself.
In his Instagram posts leading up to the exhibition's opening, Ryden had invited fans to don costumes, mirroring the themes of identity and performance present throughout the show. This was not an invitation to merely participate but to immerse oneself in a world where reality is fluid and meaning is subjective.
Mark Ryden's artistry revolves around capturing the essence of spiritual connection through his surreal landscapes. He delves into the realm of the symbolic, often blending mythology with pop culture references. By deftly marrying science and spirituality, he creates worlds both mystifying and awe-inspiring. In these dreamlike realms, boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.
The artist has long explored themes of cosmic connection and unity, with his work sometimes evoking ancient mysticism and other times referencing the mundane. His exploration of this dichotomy is an integral part of his oeuvre, where the grotesque becomes sublime and the sublime becomes palatable.
Ryden believes in allowing his intuition to guide him rather than adhering to a predefined plan or intention. This results in artworks that unfold with skillful dexterity and an undercurrent of mystery. One such piece is "Eye Am #181," featuring what could be interpreted as a yam, pineal gland, or higher self lying wide-eyed in a bed, staring at the title of the exhibition.
At its core, Ryden's artistry revolves around his capacity to tap into the mysterious and reveal it through artistic expression. When asked about the significance behind some of his pieces, he deftly sidesteps clear explanations and instead emphasizes the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment as a guiding principle for his work.
"Eye Am" serves not only as an exhibition but also an invitation for viewers to partake in this dreamlike journey. Through Ryden's artwork, we are invited into realms both familiar and unknown, places where wonder and whimsy await those willing to surrender to the surreal.
. Ryden's use of taxidermy and vintage imagery adds a layer of unease to his already dreamlike landscapes, making it difficult for viewers to discern what's real and what's fantastical. His artistic practice is akin to a form of alchemy, where base materials are transformed into something both beautiful and unsettling.
. By embracing this ambiguity, Ryden creates an immersive experience that's both captivating and thought-provoking.
. "Eye Am" is a testament to this artistic vision, offering viewers a glimpse into a world that's both familiar and strange.
it's like stepping into a whole different world where bizarreness is the norm 
and identity is kinda fluid, ur not sure what's real & what's not 
his use of symbolism & pop culture refs is so on point 
i love how he blends sci & spirituality to create these mystifying landscapes 
anyway, if u can handle some weirdness, go check it out 
You know what struck me about Mark Ryden's latest show? It's all about us, human beings. We're all searching for something more, some connection that goes beyond the mundane 
. His art is like a reflection of our own desires and fears, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. That's what makes it so captivating. The way he taps into the mysterious, I think we can learn from his intuition-driven approach to life. Don't be afraid to let your thoughts wander and see where they take you 
. It's all about embracing the unknown and finding beauty in the surreal.
? Don't get me wrong, Ryden's got skills, but some of these pieces feel like a wild goose chase for attention 
. And can we please talk about the weirdness level? It's like someone barfed up a bunch of weird dreams all over the gallery 
. I'm good with my reality, thanks 
and then have these stunning portraits of bye-lo babies with crowns on them its like... what even is this place?? 
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. It's like he's invited us to play along with his themes of identity and performance 
, where reality is fluid and meaning is subjective 
. 
, resulting in artworks that unfold with skillful dexterity 
.
, where wonder and whimsy await those willing to surrender to the surreal 
. I'm definitely down to explore these realms with Mark Ryden as our guide 
. it's all about embracing the surreal and letting go of reality. Ryden's artistry is like a spiritual practice for your eyeballs 
. can't wait to see more of his work, this exhibition is giving me LIFE 
Mark Ryden's "Eye Am" exhibition is like a dream come true for me, I mean, it's just too weird and wonderful 
. He's like a master weaver of bizarre beauty and unease, creating this fantastical realm that's both curious and playful 
. But at the same time, I'm not sure if I'd want to immerse myself in such a world where reality is fluid and meaning is subjective... sounds kinda scary 
. He's got this cosmic connection thing down pat, and his art is all about exploring the mystical and the unknown 
?
. The way he uses taxidermy and weird creatures to explore spiritual connection is, like, super thought-provoking. And I gotta say, the atmosphere of the exhibition is really immersive - you can just imagine yourself getting lost in those fantastical realms 
.
. Anyway, if you're a fan of surreal landscapes and spiritual connection, this show is for you 
omg i'm literally OBSESSED w/ Mark Ryden's new exhibition @ Perrotin gallery in LA!!! 
i love how he blends mythology w/ pop culture & science & spirituality 
rn i'm dyin' to know more about the meaning behind his art but i think that's part of the magic 
. I love how his art makes me question what's real and what's not - it's like, hello, reality is just an illusion, right? 
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. And have you noticed how his art often features creatures with stag-like antlers? It's like he's tapping into some deep, primal symbolism that resonates with our collective unconscious 
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