**Mike Kelley, Extracurricular Activity Projective Reconstruction #27 (Gospel Rocket), 2004-05**

**Installation view with Jeff Wall, Tenants (2007)**

Recently I was invited to see amazing exhibitions in one of my favorite world art galleries located in Beverly Hills. In this post I show you only a small part of what I saw but trust me it was an extraoridnary experience.

As the title say the major exhibition was about Realism and I’m totally under the impression of using the pictorial languages of realism and illusion intentionally to turn some fragments of everyday life into legible narratives. As Duane Hanson said: “Realism is best suited to convey the frightening idiosyncrasies of our time”.

Each of the works of five world artists is meticulously conceptualized and properly composed, creating a cross-media kind of dialogue between photography and sculpture.

The second exhibition is different but only in a good way. Mike Kelley was one of the most influential members of the Conceptual Art movement. The multimedia installation Gospel Rocket comprises an illuminated movie sign, projected videos of a gospel choir and impressive black rocket dressed in similar version of the choir’s silky yellow vestments. I was really impressed with the Gospel Rocket glowing sign announcing a ceremonial rocket launch, attests to Kelley’s idea in the aspects of organized social behavior that merge spectacle, science and belief. This monumental sign was changing colors which was even more spectacular.

In the Gagosian Gallery we can also see two of the nineteen Lenticular works which are created by Mike Kelley and they’re showing his vision of millennial change. This exhibition had one major goal to examine the ways in which people have imagined the future throughout the history. Interesting visions and art at the highest level are definitely something that I like!

All pictures taken by me courtesy of the Gagosian Gallery Beverly Hills.