Studies of Intercourse and Water – Kyle Alden Martens

Halifax based emerging artist Kyle Alden Martens exhibits an installation of 80 cut silicone swimming caps exposing a subversive and ambiguous sexuality. Studies of Intercourse and Water is on view in the corridor gallery October 6 – 28.

Kyle Alden Martens, "Studies of Intercourse and Water", 2015 Silicone Swimming Caps, White tape. Variable dimensions
Kyle Alden Martens, “Studies of Intercourse and Water”, 2015
Silicone Swimming Caps, White tape.
Variable dimensions. Image courtesy of Joel Tsui, photographer.

Describing the intent of the project, Martens explains:

This project employs a postmodern pluralistic approach – aiming to blur media distinctions and present layered meaning and concept. The work functions in-between line drawing, collage, sculpture, and installation. The caps have been altered to present a subversive yet ambiguous sexuality. The colour palette of the cut silicone is simultaneously reflective of sex toys and swimming pools. The resulting installation is a space that is humorous and slightly uncomfortable, celebratory and anticlimactic – wet and dry. 

Kyle Alden Martens works in video, photography, performance, writing, drawing, collage, and sculpture – often blending media to create multiple levels of visual and conceptual dialogue. Employing themes of subtlety, duration, humour, anticipation, boredom, restriction, and repeated motion, Martens references minimalism in the aesthetic approach, while allowing room for concept to dominate it. There is often an undertone of queer aesthetics that is present in the work.

kylealdenmartens.com

Located inside the Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) office at the Halifax Seaport, since 2000, the Corridor Gallery is complimented by a historical legacy of Nova Scotia culture, simple yet modern architectural elements and an array of current cultural activity in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia office. The Corridor Gallery is located at 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia and is open Monday through Friday, 9:30am-5pm.

For further information regarding the exhibition contact:

Becky Welter-Nolan
Programming Coordinator
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7
902.423.4694 1.866.225.8267 f: 902.422.0881
vans@visualarts.ns.ca