Van Ray - One Dollar Bill @ 30works

Van Ray - One Dollar Bill @ 30works

With "One Dollar Bill," Van Ray pays homage to the legendary Pop Art portfolio "One Cent Life" from 1964, and in a conceptual continuation of this publication, which once reconciled Abstract Expressionism with Pop Art, he also explores the convergence of two genres. The Düsseldorf artist merges techniques and codes of Street Art with the motifs and visual language of Pop Art.

As the central theme of his new series, and also referencing the title "One Cent Life," Van Ray chooses money. He brings to light both its allure and the fantasies surrounding it: on one hand, it serves as a leading currency and a symbol of the often-cited "Pursuit of happiness," while on the other, it becomes an allegory for hegemony and economic as well as moral dominance. Using both real dollar bills and stylized enlargements, the Düsseldorf artist prioritizes materiality in his new series, consciously allowing the pure motifs to take a backseat to the intricate surfaces. Rusted steel emerges as the secret star here, which the 33-year-old clashes with highly reflective Plexiglas, transforming this interplay of two physically incompatible components into a proverbial alchemist.

Van Ray – One Dollar Bill @ 30works

Opening: Friday, November 10, 2017, 7:30 PM Exhibition: November 10, 2017 to December 1, 2017
Tue-Fri 3-7 PM, Sat 12-5 PM, and by appointment.

30works – Antwerpener Str. 42 – 50672 Cologne – Tel. 0221 – 5700250