Fine Artist Lenny Kislin - America Recycled August 10, 2005

FINE ARTIST LENNY KISLIN
FEATURED IN ONE MAN SHOW: AMERICA RECYCLED
OPENING AUGUST 13, 2005, 4?9 PM
The Metamorphosis of Antiques into High Art
Woodstock, NY August 2005 ? What started as a $10 bid on other people?s ?junk? has made it?s way into a new genre of art. Over thirty years ago, Lenny Kislin took a friend's offer to accompany him to an antiques store where dusty treasures could be had for mere coins. Spending the last money he and his wife had, Kislin bought antiques in Albany, took them back to Woodstock, where he had made his home, and sold them at significant profit.

Over the next two decades, Kislin collected and sold antiques, keeping for himself those relics deemed ?not salable.? When his wife finally threatened to get rid of his personal collection unless he did something with it, the transformation began: from relics of the past to exciting contemporary art.

Kislin combines his eye for rarity, his razor-sharp wit and pithy sense of humor to create truly individual one-of-a-kind pieces. Limiting himself to using only the pieces he has in front of him, a veritable treasure trove of antique miscellaneous items, the artist produces three-dimensional wall sculptures and stand-alone sculptures. Kislin considers his work to be collaboration with artists from the past:

"I express myself through my respect and creativity for the pieces, made by many different souls, many years ago. I pay homage to the early artisans whose work I am offering-up to new eyes,? states Kislin.

Kislin?s work ranges from sardonic to irreverent. He often uses playful juxtaposition and whimsical titles, but his work is far from limited to making people laugh. String Theory: Separate But Equal Universes is one of several Kislin works which takes a pointed look at the history of race relations using blackface folk art, pieces which may have been derogatory in the way they were rendered, creating fresh commentary on the past.
Kislin is, if anything, prolific. His house is always full of new pieces. He regards the crafting together of found objects to be only one part of his art; the other is the collection of his materials.

"I regard the hunting and choosing of material to be a primary part of my art. My palette is limited to objects I can find in my hunting,? he explains. He chooses objects that are both aesthetically and spiritually thrilling, creating fresh perspectives on the past for modern generations.
Through his childlike wonder at the power of found objects, Kislin has become a recognized and highly patronized artist. His first piece ever, titled Suicide, was made up of an 18th century carpenter's traveler and an old bowling ball. It was purchased by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Hawaii.

America Recycled will run from August 11, 2005 until September 4, 2005 at 43 8th Avenue Gallery (cross streets Horatio and Jane).

Established by curator Alex Beitler, 43 8th Avenue Gallery in the West Village features emerging and mid-career fine artists who have come to New York City from all over the world. Mr. Beitler gives each artist a solo exhibit for fifteen days in NYC.

For more information call 212.366.1733 or email [email protected] .