Baron Mattern: Energy Circus

We hope you’ll join us on 3rd Friday, May 19th, as Kiosk Gallery presents Energy Circus, a solo exhibition of drawings by Baron Mattern, and an invitation to participate in a collaborative zine project. Here the artist uses humble materials, such as markers, notebook paper and copy paper, to facilitate an ethos of drawing as much as possible, even during the brief, mundane intervals that are built into the routines of our daily lives. Throughout the course of the exhibition, visitors are invited to participate in collaborative drawing sessions, culminating in the production of a zine.

Artist Statement:Energy Circus represents a year of experimental drawing. Subjects are often culled from the experience of daily phenomena. Many of these drawings were made during the fifteen minute breaks afforded to workers at my day job. Other pictures were created at the kitchen table. A fast paced approach to drawing exemplifies the notion that pictures can be made almost anywhere and with simple materials. This practice hopes to reflect the idea that forms code for attitudes. In this case, the attitude in question is an openness to meditate on subjects that may be banal or uninteresting. Meaning is rendered naturally as the drawings progress.

Drawings generated by this speedy system often coalesce into zines printed at the local copy shop. Visitors to the gallery are invited to participate in the generation of a new book. During the course of the exhibition, drawings made by guests will be compiled into a zine. This zine will be made available at the end of the exhibition.

Bio:Baron Mattern was born in Lafayette, Indiana. He moved to Kansas City to attend the Kansas City Art Institute in 2014. Shortly before graduating, he began a practice of experimental daily drawing. The lessons learned via this drawing practice help to sustain a customized approach to thinking and learning.Instagram: @garb.hellArtist’s reception:Friday, May 19th, 20236-9 pm

Gallery hours: Saturdays 12-4 pm & by appointment

Holiday Closures:Saturday, May 27thSaturday, July 1st

Show runs through July 8th