{"id":38467,"date":"2017-05-19T13:03:51","date_gmt":"2017-05-19T17:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=38467"},"modified":"2017-05-20T20:32:47","modified_gmt":"2017-05-21T00:32:47","slug":"yuri-dojc-american-dreams-at-darren-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=38467","title":{"rendered":"Yuri Dojc: American Dreams at Darren Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"

In American Dreams<\/em> Yuri Dojc recalls his fantasies about America from when he was growing up and living in Czechoslovakia. His vibrant photographs, created after his arrival in Canada, are combinations of found and purchased objects that both recollect and release his longings for North American culture.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Yuri Dojc, Good Morning, Ink Jet Print on Aluminum, 40″ x 30″. Courtesy of the artist and Darren Gallery<\/p>\n

Eye-catching compositions\u00a0demonstrate how Dojc’s advertising background enabled him to create visually appealing compositions, while also generating a method of release for his childhood visions of a different, far away land and culture. Dojc manipulates space in an interesting way in \u201cThe Kingdom,\u201d where all components come together between palm trees and women on the left (a representation of the west coast), and taxi cabs on the right (as visual cues of the east coast). Throughout the composition, tiny plastic objects stand beside, hang above, and rest on a large Elvis Presley statue, which Dojc adored. Dojc was deeply surprised when he realized, upon his arrival in North America, that many of the Czech pop songs on Radio Luxemburg copied Elvis Presley\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Yuri Dojc, The Kingdom, 1988-89, Archival pigment print, 36″ x 24″. Courtesy of the artist and Darren Gallery<\/p>\n

Dojc takes the \u201ckitsch\u201d of the American pop culture and familiar plastic objects and transforms them into images that represent both his memories and personal life. He describes the former Czechoslovakia as \u201ca very restrictive society,\u201d as pictured in \u201cGlobalization\u201d – depicting a \u201csociety swallowed by the communist system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Yuri Dojc, Globalization, 1988-89, Archival pigment print, 24″ x 36″ . Courtesy of the artist and Darren Gallery<\/p>\n

Dojc stated that his compositions came into existence from an inner guidance of \u201cwhat feels right.\u201d The method of creating his works by staging objects, already hints at the idea of material culture. In combination with visual cues of popular culture, Dojc\u2019s works provide an interesting perspective on American culture and the idea of freedom and abundance that accompanies the \u201cAmerican dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Yuri Dojc, Ascending to Heaven, Ink Jet Print on Aluminum, 30″ x 40″. Courtesy of the artist and Darren Gallery<\/p>\n

However, the \u201cAmerican dream\u201d theme, demonstrated in this show, is shared by many new comers to Canada, and similarly recalled by many first-generation Canadians in their stories. Dojc\u2019s work is representative of contemporary Canadian art that is inspired by the interaction between diverse cultures that exist simultaneously.<\/p>\n

American Dreams<\/em> is a part of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and on display until May 28th. Darren Gallery was opened in 2014 to provide a platform for \u201cexperimental and daring\u201d work produced by \u201cbright and innovative contemporary artists\u201d in Canada. Although the gallery is focused in providing a space in Toronto to exhibit creative and enticing shows, Darren Gallery also aims to foster relationships with artists and galleries internationally to expand opportunities for Canadian artists.<\/p>\n

Carolyn Peralta<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information: May 5 – 28, 2017, Darren Gallery, 346 Margueretta Street, Toronto. Gallery hours: Thur – Sun 12 – 6 pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Carolyn Peralta<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dojc takes the \u201ckitsch\u201d of the American pop culture and familiar plastic objects and transforms them into images that represent both his memories and personal life<\/p>\n

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