Since 2006, KX2 has collaborated on mixed media work that examines the environment. Known for their innovative approach and thought-provoking themes, they have garnered acclaim for their ability to fuse art and activism. Their latest body of work, on view at the Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery at Broward College in Davie, has taken a decidedly monumental and conceptual turn. The output is impressive, in process and scale, while generating awareness of the local water infrastructure. This exhibition marks a significant evolution in their practice, reflecting their ongoing commitment to addressing environmental issues through the lens of contemporary art.
The formation of KX2 is rooted in the collaborative spirit of artists and sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman. Kleinman received her master’s of fine arts with a focus on painting from the University of New Mexico, while Avra earned a bachelor of science degree with a concentration on metalworking from the University of Wisconsin. Their first solo exhibition was in 2008 at the Art Center in Miami Beach, now Oolite Arts. They have worked synergistically, exchanging ideas and refining their combined skills to create work that resonates with our current cultural and environmental climate.
Four monumental pieces were created site-specific to the Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery. Inspired by the 27-foot height in the space, the artists aimed to make a visual impact while incorporating real scientific data into their pieces. Beginning with “Boil Notice,” the series integrates 2023 and 2022 data from boil notices across Broward County.
Focusing on issues surrounding climate change, industrial waste, and access to potable water, the series uses repurposed plumbing fixtures to draw attention to residential and industrial pollution. 365 recycled water faucets are combined with resin, concrete, and local debris to mark the daily notices in the area. Originally realized as a solo project at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center in 2023, the work includes a commissioned sound composition by Dave Rosenthal, who sampled sounds from storm drains and water systems in Broward County.
At the Rosemary Duffy Gallery, the work is updated with recent data and presented in a grid-like formation. “We got to push a calendar view with each row representing one month,” says Kleinman. Each faucet symbolizes the daily water intake, with results ranging from a clear resin to a gelatinous sludge. The aesthetic is overwhelmingly informative, systematically examining and raising awareness of our natural water ecology.
The heavily researched “Boil Notice” cleverly mirrors the minimalistic “Ripple Effect” on the opposite side of the gallery. Three pipelines move concurrently across 15 feet of the wall. The pipelines are striped with blue colors from dark to light and disappear into the ground. The design references tide charts and tide markers, indicating the pressure of changing tides and water levels. The abstract forms also suggest an outline of buildings connected by the rising tides of water.
On the opposing walls, there are two large-scale fabric pieces created specifically for the space: a new work from their “Hydra Series” and “Hyades,” named after a sisterhood of nymphs from Greek mythology. These works begin with cut recycled canvas pieces sourced from projects or donations from painters.
“Dana used to work as a commercial painter (houses, buildings) and saved all the canvas drop cloths used as well as donations from other painters. We then use a combination of reclaimed house paint and plant-based pigment,” says Avra. She adds, “For ‘Hyades,’ we took the canvas to the beach and used plant-based pigments with seawater and salt to create abstract paintings. The paintings are usually about 20 feet long by six feet wide to start. We then hand cut the canvas with scissors into strips, the strips are then dyed in diluted pigment to achieve a desired color effect.”
The cut canvases are combined with salvaged metal pipes to illuminate the network of utility pipes typically unseen in our everyday surroundings. The artists suggest that the weaving and spiral patterns of the canvas evoke the human body, like hair and intestines to draw parallels between pipeline networks and our internal organs and veins. The blending of organic forms with industrial materials highlights the interconnectedness of natural and man-made systems, evoking the profound presence and power of nature.
The four works, while striking individually, command the space collectively while maintaining a sense of lightness and airiness, lyrically moving within the space. Layers of information are woven into each piece, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into the data and rich narratives embedded within each work.
The artists master a delicate balance between environmental critique and ethereal aesthetics to create a thought-provoking experience. This bold new body of work is an exciting new direction for KX2. Their process is research-intensive, with a strong emphasis on environmental impact and sustainability. Through meticulous data collection and innovative material use, they have successfully created a series that not only captivates visually but also educates and informs. Their work challenges preconceived conventions and invites the audience to reflect on the vital issues of our natural resources.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “KX2: Ripple Effect”
WHERE: Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery, Broward College Central Campus, Building 6, 3501 Davie Road, Davie
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. reception, Saturday, Nov. 2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Sunday closed. Through Saturday, Nov. 9.
TICKETS: FREE
INFORMATION: (954) 683-6710;
https://www.kx2art.com/
