“Der Wilden Mann” Thus Sprach Flotsam; Metamorphosis 3 an Exhibition of New Work by Mike Shine

April 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Media Contact: Lainya Magaña, A&O PR
lainya@aopublic.com  415.577.1275

COPRO GALLERY PRESENTS
“DER WILDEN MANN”
THUS SPRACH FLOTSAM; METAMORPHOSIS 3
AN EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY MIKE SHINE

An opening reception will be held on April 16, 2011 from 8-11:30PM


LOS ANGELES, MARCH 16, 2011 – Copro Gallery is pleased to announce the opening for “Der Wilden Mann” Thus Sprach Flotsam; Metamorphosis 3, the first major Los Angeles exhibition of work by Bolinas-based artist Mike Shine. Known for his epic performance pieces, interactive art objects and “art shack” installations, Mike Shine's work has been recognized in museum exhibitions at SFMOMA, Laguna Art Museum and The Museum of Craft and Folk Art. Incorporating techniques of folk craftsmanship and a graphic, representational painting style, Shine’s work draws inspiration from 60s California skate and surf aesthetic, as well as the traveling American carnival, Nordic mythology, sideshow curiosities and philosophical literature from the German Romanticism and existential periods.

“Mike Shine has a way of turning the strange into the familiar. He mixes carnivals, Nordic mythology, and surf-and-skate culture — and by the time he’s done with them, they seem like a natural fit." - Keith Bowers SF Weekly

The theme of “Der Wilden Mann” references “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, Frederich Neitzsche’s philosophical tome on morality and pedagogy. Mike Shine explores and mutates the Neitzschean theme of constant transformation via Flotsam, the Faustian carny-trickster who is centrally depicted in Shine’s installations. Putting his own twist on Zarathustra’s teachings through millenniums of Faustian bargains, Flotsam deftly guides Mankind into its third metamorphosis: the modern-primitive or, the “Wild Man” (Der Wilden Mann). The world of “Der Wilden Mann” may be rustic and primitive, but it also represents mankind in its most enlightened form. Like Neitzsche’s Child, “Der Wilden Mann” is free from the shackles of commandments, prejudice, propaganda and religious agendas- affording him an opportunity to begin anew. Through this narrative, Shine inquires as to what tricks Flotsam has up his sleeve and how Mankind will choose to respond.

The work for “Der Wilden Mann” will include 75 mixed pieces, painted on wood and found materials, and an installation that will include an Old Norse style longhouse with sod roof, interactive carnival games, videos, and a novella that accompanies the show’s theme of future primitive.

Mike Shine is a painter and writer living and working in Bolinas, California. His work has appeared at SFMOMA The Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Laguna Beach Art Museum, Art Basel Miami, White Walls Gallery and 941 Geary in San Francisco. Shine’s artwork has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine, Hi-Fructose Magazine, SF Chronicle, Readymade, Art Ltd. and Spread Art/Culture Magazine.  

CoproGallery - Founded In 1991, originally as Copro/Nason Fine Arts began as an entity to curate art exhibitions at museums and local galleries and publish lithograph & silk-screen prints. The first contemporary cutting edge artists that Copro/Nason worked with were Mark Ryden, Robert Williams, Big Daddy Roth, Shag, Pizz, Von Dutch, Coop and many others.

In 1999 Copro/Nason Gallery was opened In Culver City and soon transcended the limits of Lowbrow. By incorporating gothic-inspired visions of fantasy, horror, and surrealistic excesses into an ambitious program, mixing acknowledged masters with newer talents such as Sas Christian, Amy Sol, Audrey Kawasaki, Lori Earley and many others Copro/Nason soon began to take shape.

Copro/Nason Fine Art Publishing emerged from this initial inspiration, and is proud to make available quality images that draw from these, and other, cultural movements. Please visit our online gallery for some examples of what we have available.

In 2009 Douglas Nason resigned as president of Copro/Nason and the name has been changed to CoproGallery. Greg Escalante is the Principal, Owner& Publisher of CoproGallery

CoproGallery has published images featured in the Laguna Art Museum's permanent collection and the Kustom Kulture Catalogue, CoproNason catalogue Raisonne, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Axcess Magazine, Juxtapoz magazine, Thrasher Magazine, Surfers Journal, Street Rodder Magazine, Custom Rodder magazine, Autographics magazine, Picturebook Magazine, Fine and Amazing Characters (Japanese) Magazines.


Calendar Editors:
What: DER WILDEN MANN: THUS SPRACH FLOTSAM; METAMORPHOSIS 3
         NEW WORK BY MIKE SHINE

When:  Opening Reception: April 16, 2011 8-11:30PM
   Exhibition Dates:  April 16 – May 7, 2011

Where: COPRO GALLERY
    Bergamot Station Arts Complex
            2525 Michigan Ave, Unit T-5
            Santa Monica, CA 90404


MEDIA CONTACT: Lainya Magana  Lainya@AOpublic.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.copronason.com/
FOR SF PUBLIC RELATIONS VISIT: http://www.aopublic.com
ARTIST’S WEBSITE: http://www.shinelounge.com

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