The youth focused show is coming to the Campbell River Art Gallery in August!
The youth focused exhibition ‘Tropicana’ from VOX – Contemporary Image Centre (Montreal) is coming to BC for the first time, from August 1 – November 19 at the Campbell River Art Gallery! ‘Tropicana’, by Montreal-based Costa Rican-Canadian artist Juan Ortiz-Apuy, encourages all ages to come and interact with colourful and engaging artwork that carries a deeper message.
The exhibition presents a different perspective on contemporary consumer society and advertising aimed at children. Featuring tactile areas including a wall of objects to manipulate and a 10-foot tall giraffe-spray bottle sculpture made of recycled material, visitors can also engage with games and activities for all ages.
“Growing up in Costa Rica I was attracted to the diversity of colours, shapes and forms in the flora and fauna around my home. Specimens of which I collected and cared for,” says Ortiz-Apuy in an interview with VOX. “After moving to Canada I was struck by the abundance of objects in consumer culture. I remember thinking when I first walked into Dollarama that it was an incredible visual, tactile experience. There was a mass produced diversity there but this time it was human made.“
An assistant professor at Concordia University, Ortiz-Apuy has created a visual and sound landscape allowing visitors to explore the language of advertising and its ability to act on us, in sometimes unexpected ways. The artist based his research on new marketing strategies that have emerged in the social media era, i.e., the phenomenon of “unboxing” and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos. Exploring a world of objects, this exhibition looks to examine the way we consume today—always with a touch of humour—to better understand its future impacts.
Ortiz-Apuy employs visual references of familiar everyday objects and with his expertise in collage and assemblage creates artwork that amuse and provoke the intricacies of consumerism with a touch of playfulness. The exhibition is a inter-generational meeting point for all art lovers!
Tropicana’s Opening Party on Saturday, August 10th will feature family friendly art making activities, refreshments and grab bags. Activities 12pm – 4pm, opening remarks at 1pm.