Dzine: Victory
Public Functionary, the new art gallery and Kickstarter
success story, dazzled Northeast Minneapolis
with the opening of Dzine’s “Victory” exhibit on Saturday night.
Dzine, the nom de plume of Chicago-based Puerto Rican artist
Carlos Rolon, is a study in excess. Gorgeous without being gaudy, Dzine
intertwines machismo symbolism with matriarchal artifacts.
Dzine’s exhibit blended both Neo-Baroque and psychedelic
palettes, shamelessly flaunting opulence while staying true to street swagger.
The glittery, sequined-splashed pieces were a feast of color for winter weary
eyes. Crimson shag carpet lined one section of the walls; another was wallpapered
in distinguished gold stencil. Mirrors were incorporated throughout, an especially
stunning touch in a massive mosaic piece that reflected back a broken image of
the viewer.
Dzine is known for “Kustom Kulture Sculptures,” such as his
collection of bejeweled trophies. Many showcased angels perched, wings akimbo
while another was adorned with brass knuckles. A pair of fighting gold cocks crouched
in the corner, their shadows lurking ominously on the wall thanks to an
elegant, low-hanging chandelier nearby.
The two (minor) disappointments in the Dzine exhibit were
that there wasn’t more (a single room simply wasn’t enough to skim the
surface of this fascinating and fresh artist) and that the exhibit wasn’t
interactive. Being able to feel the fabrics and textures of the artwork might
have made an even bigger impact on the patrons, who were clearly wowed but
expressed surprise at how quickly they moved through the room.
“The live art experience needs to be elevated,” curator Tricia
Khutoretsky said in anticipation of the opening. By choosing Dzine for its
inaugural show, Public Functionary is already taking the Twin Cities art scene
to a whole other level. “Victory” is indeed a visual triumph.
