Sat 7/5 @ 6pm
By Josh Usmani
This weekend’s opening reception at BUCKBUCK may be one of the best art events of the summer. MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION (MAD) is a two-man exhibition featuring the work of two young pop artists making a big impact on contemporary pop culture – Dimitri Drjuchin and Homeless Cop (Jason Fennell).
The show’s title refers to a Cold War era military strategy/national security document that described a full-scale deployment of weapons of mass destruction by two or more opposing forces. The result was the complete destruction of both parties – attacker and defender. Many credit the document (and the fear it instilled in both Americans and Soviets) for preventing all-out war between the two nations (as well as their allies).
Some of you may recognize Drjuchin’s work from the cover of Father John Misty’s 2012 album, Fear Fun. Many of you may also recognize Homeless Cop and his psychedelic, animated “bumps” on Adult Swim. Both artists are also active musicians.
Dimitri Drjuchin was originally born in Moscow, but grew up making art and music in New York. He graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2003 with a BFA in Illustration. His work has been featured in dozens of exhibitions in New York and California. When he’s not painting, he fronts the band Corrupt Autopilot.
“For me it’s a great opportunity to do a show with an artist whose work I’ve admired for a while,” explains Drjuchin. “I think we approach things similarly but with our own authentic voices. I think both our styles complement each other nicely.”
Homeless Cop agrees, “I’d say that this show is peanut butter and jelly. Two different artists with the same love for the game, this is a show of brothers from different mothers. One uses paint pens, one uses brushes. They both play in bands, they both work hard on their paintings and it shows. This gallery show is like the first time peanut butter and chocolate got tried at the same time. Our paintings will be hanging out together, changing people’s lives and inspiring creativity and Awesomeness from all that gaze upon it. I’ve really admired Dima’s work and I’m excited to kick it America-style this 4th of July weekend. Our art show is the new American holiday.
“I think of my paintings as if it were my own kid, and this show with Dima is basically the two of us dropping our kids off to play together in this art summer camp. All of our different characters and worlds will be existing in the same room, and it’s going to be cool to see them all hanging out together. It’s a great pairing of style and color, and I think it’s great that just the two of us can split the gallery space. Going from one side to the other or looking at both, it’s almost like looking at different artifacts from two similar aliens.”
Jason Fennell has no formal training or education in art. He grew up in St. Louis before moving to Chicago. He currently resides in downtown Indianapolis. When he’s not making art and videos, he plays drums in the Chemical Bomb Police – an instrumental, reggae/funk/rock band.
“I’ve always painted things I like. People, places, and things,” says Homeless Cop. “My whole life I’ve been drawing and painting, and I really feel like I was born to do this. I think my work evolves in terms of subject matter, but the execution just stays true to my style. My paintings look look like a robot made them, and I get a lot of pleasure being able to say I made them with my hands.”
Both artists’ work features illustrative elements and obvious pop/cartoon influences. However, the work’s symbolic imagery creates a very elaborate and complicated coded language. Throughout their work, the artists use recognizable images and icons to convey complex (and often abstract) ideas through nonverbal communication. The works are somewhat ambiguous – they don’t overtly comment on anything too specific, but the works’ content stimulates the viewer’s imagination. In this way, the viewer takes an active and engaged role in the viewing experience.
Aside from the high-quality artwork, the evening will feature a comedy set from Greg Barris at 7:30pm and music from The Wigmaker’s Son and Classy Janitor. This is sure to be a very special night at BUCKBUCK. You won’t want to miss this one!
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.
Cleveland, OH 44113