Ruttkowski;68 gallery in Cologne, Germany recently opened a new solo by American artist Brad Downey. Titled Souvenirs, the show features short videos and a series of everyday objects and utilitarian materials juxtapozed in a new context creating a novel meaning. The work raises issues about everything from identity (with his flags drawings), privacy, to self destruction. His series of works with keys touchbase on the notion of access and security.
With his techniques of détournement and re-contextualization, Downey reinterprets banal objects to create revelatory artworks. These act as ‘souvenirs‘ as they recall their past as well as triggering fresh emotional and intellectual associations.
