The Walker showcases Lee Kit

Artist brings a new perspective to art

Ellie Meys

 

Freshman Maggie Christiansen looks at art and believes it is needed in the world.

“Well you see [art] everywhere,” Christiansen said. “I don’t really think the world would exist without art.”

According to the Walker Art Center’s curator Misa Jeffereis, Lee Kit is an artist from Hong Kong now based in Taipei. Jeffereis said the Walkers exhibit will be Kit’s, who often uses multimedia in his work, first solo exhibit in the U.S.

“He tends to work with sound materials and domestic wares like cabinets and for this installation there’s a shower stall,” Jeffereis said. “He incorporates video projection with those objects as well as his paintings.”

Jeffereis said while many artists might want to convey an opinion or a message through their art, Kit wants to do the opposite.

“He’s really hoping that each of us brings our own perception and perspective to the work,” Jeffereis said. He’s not trying to make us think about certain things.”

Senior Ethan Fogel said the viewer may interpret art any way they choose.

“Ultimately it’s up to the person looking at the art to decide what it means,” Fogel said.

According to Jeffereis, Kit draws inspiration for his work from a curiosity of the unknown, one of which being different cities.

“His practice is really rooted in things that he doesn’t know or understand so he really has this great curiosity,” Jeffereis said.

According to Jeffereis, Kit’s view of cities may vary based on the emotions such as loneliness or materialism he gets from the city.

“In the past he’s worked in a place like Tokyo,” Jeffereis said. “He felt like there’s a lot of alienation and a lot of loneliness there and so he bases his entire exhibition on that feeling or emotion.”

Christiansen said looking at art inspires her.

“I like looking at people’s creativity and it inspires me to ma
ke art myself,” Christiansen said.

Jeffereis said she believes Kit’s soft and delicate approach to his art attracts people to it.

“It’s much quieter in terms of his approach and he’s much more interested in having us respond to it so I think the openness maybe is what people might be interested in in his work,” Jeffereis said.

Fogel said he thinks exposure to art can help people come up with their own perspective of the world and improve analytical skills.Screen Shot 2016-05-19 at 8.30.20 PM

“Having art is really important because it’s a
good tool to form your own opinions,” Fogel said.

The exhibit titled ”Lee Kit: Hold your breath, dance slowly,” takes place at the Walker Art Center May 12 to Oct 9.