TheoKaccoufa

Giants of the Infinitesimal Exhibition

Opening 6th October 2011

http://giantsoftheinfinitesimal.com

Artists collaborate with Scientists to explore a strange new world to be found at the nano-scale.

The Artists:

Tom Grimsey | Theo Kaccoufa

The Scientists:

Prof Rasmita Ravall | Prof Philip Moriarty | Dr Ashley Cadby | Prof Lee Cronin | Prof Robert Jones | Dr Guenter Moebus

Landfill Art

Paradise Found

I was invited to create a piece of work using a discarded wheel hub. Paradise Fond is the result.

Medium: solder, wire and recycled materials, including plastic wheel hub and various self-coloured tin cans.

GHOST III

'Dearest' @ gHost III

GHost is here once more, with another unforgettable night of artist films, performances and moving image interventions to celebrate the darkest days of the season and to welcome in the ghosts that inhabit them.

Kinetic Art

Domestic Appliance, Flowers East, London, 2008

The chair that models itself in the image of Kafka's modern anti-hero is, by means of its appellation, also a Monument to the Isms. The author of this work, British artist Theo Kaccoufa, explains that the title acknowledges the 20th century art movements that were 'once vigorous creatures roaming the earth' and which now 'occasionally kick and struggle to regain their footing'. In manifesting this art historical critique in the ultimate image of alienation, mixed metaphors of metamorphosis abound: where Kafka begins his novella with the ridiculous but resonant proclamation that a man is now a large insect, Kaccoufa conjures the equally contentious proposal that artistic movements are an endangered species victim to the dialectical dangers of historical negation. These bold statements about modernity are brought to bear, remarkably, by a piece of furniture; that which is understood to be neither animate, nor driven by momentum, in accordance with the ascensional logic of (art-) history. Extract from Domestic Appliance exhibition catalogue, Flowers East, 2008. Text by Ellie Harrison-Read, Curator. .

Cyber Flora

Cyber Flora Series

The world of science, technology and nature are the trinity of subjects that influence the theme of my work. The Cyber Flora series is an exploration of nature, genetic modification and our possible future. In my constructions, I reference familiar elements such as petals, stalks and stems. Although they are recognisable, they have been altered in subtle and outrageous ways. Like many esteemed members of the human race, I tinker with the architecture of nature to satisfy my needs. The materials and ideas I use, allow me to translate the lines I make on paper into three-dimensional physical drawings in space. The sculptures are formed of coloured lines that are made more of nothing than something. The realised pieces are like ghosts, echoes of life from an alternate dimension or time-line. They have begun to half-exist and inhabit our world.

Tudor, detail

Cyber Fauna

GM BearS: Squid Bear

"The series GM Bears refers more explicitly to a science fiction style future. While still recognisable as the comforting childhood toy they now have strange distortions such as squid tentacles or wings. Here nature is not tamed in the familiar image of the ted bear but modified and manipulated hinting at sinister implications for the future."

Daisy Bear (Maquette)

Tic-Toc

Domestica Series

A series of oversized domestic appliances with strange names seem to hint at a future world of at-your-fingertips utility and easy convenience. You might be forgiven for thinking that these objects, with their names full of consonants like a bizarre acronym, are props left over from a naïve 50’s visualisation of ‘Tomorrow’s Home’, yet there is something oddly disturbing about the slow-movement of the crocodile-clips on WPZDVM’s cutting edge, and the steady but unspectacular rotation of PZDVMW’s mincer. Their uncanny and otherworldly lassitude suggests the graceful languor of aquatic life or the minute movements of single celled animals. A close examination reveals that these objects aren’t created with people in mind at all: their design isn’t remotely ergonomic, and in a domestic context they are utterly useless. They have evolved. These formerly domesticated implements have upset the apple-cart, cut Man out of the picture, and gone feral.

Commissions

Super Delight

"Theo Kaccoufa's work explores visions of the future and questions the possible outcomes of genetic manipulation. Appearing like ghosts of the natural world, his three-dimensional wire drawings of flowers are born out of the desire for constant improvement, the search for that which is bigger, better and longer lasting".

Happy Days

Pink Thing

Dancing Chairs

Sugar Plum

The Agony of Waiting

Sketchbook

Sketchbook Drawings

Above: Studies for mechanical "Elvis Bird" .

Limited Edition Print

Daisy Bear White (detail)

Giclée limited edition print created to celebrate the 10 years of the Stanley Picker Gallery and 30 years of the Stanley Picker Fellowship Programme.

This special occasion was marked by establishing a collection of works on paper by previous Stanley Picker Fellows.

Collaboration

Ooowh! (Penguin Sculptures Installation)

Wire sculpture installation. Painted and glittered penguins.

2007, mild steel wire, silver solder, oil and synthetic crystals, average height 44 cm..

All content @ 2011 Theo Kaccoufa, London, UK. All rights reserved.