by Riley Schroeder

February 14, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With cuckoo chimes in the air, a skeleton decked out in gold, silver and blue jewelry sits on a golden throne. Behind it is a yellow wall with two little doorknobs and two words: Wunder Kammer.

 

Victor Armendariz is turning his River North art gallery into his very own Wunder Kammer, or cabinet of curiosities, from January 7 to March 31. This visual experience showcases pieces he has collected from artists that have a similar wondrous aesthetic. 

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The imagery of skulls, guns, death and religion fills the exhibit from artist to artist, bringing light to what Armendariz states as our current society and different cultures. 

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“To be able to have the works work together and still have a conversation with each other was the challenge of this show,” Armendariz states. “I think it’s overwhelming for a lot of people when they first walk in. And it’s really a show I think that takes multiple viewings.”

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On the far-right wall of the exhibit there is a piece entitled “It Is What It Is.” Consisting of a metal cheese grater and a worn-down bride and groom wedding topper, self-taught artist Rick Farrell was able to achieve this piece through using scrapes found in Chicago. 

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“He originally started when he would just be walking or riding his bike and he’d see like a flattened piece of rusted metal, and he’d pick it up and he’d bend it a little bit,” Armendariz states.

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On the back wall of the exhibit is “Land of.” It is a clock but has hands that include an Aunt Jemima logo, a black and white image of a woman blocking sound from her ears and a petite flattened gun. Above the clock are the words “Black/Negro” and hanging from the clock are rusted pieces and two gold rings. 

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John Seubert is the artist behind this piece. He started making clocks in the ‘80s to reflect on racism. Armendariz states that “there was this kind of underlying current of not changing racism in our culture, often included in guns and violence and different things” seen through Seubert’s imagery.  

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Little, obscure rooms are placed around the exhibit. One is the “17th Century Pirate Captain’s Cabin.” When peaking inside this room, one will see all handmade pieces like miniature swords, gold, a red captain’s coat, and maps scattered on the desk.

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Armendariz’s collection of Kupjack Miniature Rooms is a big success for him. These rooms are designed by Eugene Kupjack and his sons. “I just think the craftsmanship in them, they don’t necessarily fit into the idea of fine art,” Armendariz states. “These are meant to transport you into a different world.”

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Armendariz’s view on art is that there is no right or wrong way in perceiving it. He wants each viewer at his exhibit to take in their surroundings and process what it means to them. “People will look at the artwork the way that they come to it. There is no one way to take this show,” he states.