Wonder Without Land showcases a selection of 20 photographs, a multimedia projection and an immersive installation comprised of various elements utilized in the theatrical staging of the duo’s highly stylized metaworld.
Stemming from long historical power cultures, Kuzma and Ajuan's Eurasian heritage have come together in this symbiotic narrative where imaginary worlds from childhood stories meet East Asia’s ancient traditional theatre, modern painter renderings from René Magritte, Van Gogh, Picasso and Dali’s fantastical worlds, together with the contemporary orchestrations of Michel Gondry, Tarkovsky and Yayoi Kusama. In this process they use these “references as a reverence” in the construction of their hybrid visionary world.
Within the constraints of their respective dominating societies, Kuzma & Ajuan found “a place to display our magical world” and “segments of language where we understand each other”. This common territory enhanced by their collective productivity and work ethic, brings transcultural commentary on their perceptions of reality.
Wonder Without Land submerges the audience into a beautified and grotesque dreamscape exploring themes in childhood memory, construction of identity, discovery of sensory experiences and storytelling in an overtly digitized and commercially-driven society.
This exhibition is curated by Coco Dolle, under her moniker Milk and Night, known for facilitating transgressive artistic conversations in the alternative communities. Her curatorial work has been featured in Forbes, Observer, Cool Hunting, ArtNet News, VICE, and Time Out New York.
