To enact violence is a human impulse not dissimilar to the human impulse to create. Through developing studio practices in close proximity, the artists came to consider the history of violence, how barbarism still exists in our so-called civilized society, and why we simultaneously crave to eliminate it but can’t look away. Out of references to contact sports and classic novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, emerge paintings, redacted poetry, quilts, knitted pieces, and objects that fuse the distinct inclinations of the two artists. Moments of tenderness meet the callous and austere at a captivating juncture.

The exhibition Jesus Christ! seeks to emphasize the importance in recognizing the innate value still to be gained from the historically archaic through radical ideological and aesthetic reassessment. It is through the recontextualization of the Christian biblical and art historical cannon that the artist seeks to highlight the inherently high degree of malleability in them. One must be careful of falling victim to stagnant views of what things are and what they are not, instead opting for the view that what is often said to be set in stone is actually set in mud might prove to be more fruitful. The old and archaic can be made new and exciting again, always. Ultimately, everything within this world exists in a constant state of flux. Everything is in constant movement, the best thing we can hope for is to have our brief moment in time echo through eternity by ways of our interpretation of those things that cut through epochs.

Ideas of desire are sensationalized in pop culture through phenomenons of fandom, love, and coincidence. Spectators become the spectacle. Jordan’s film highlights queer implications seen in the heartthrob demon-hunting television show Supernatural, as the shipped characters infamously canonize it as an epic slow burn gay romance. The film sets the backdrop for cosmic existential quandary and its reflexive relationship to the hilarious and mundane. By combining the work of these three artists, space is created to explore how cultural narratives mythologize themselves into reality, pushing us towards a distilled vision of real, honest, love and connection.

Combining performative sculpture, objects, video and interaction, William and Noelle share an interest in creating the impossible in order to reimagine the world, whether this be through exploring intergenerational time travel, or creating a novel experience that disrupts the day to day understanding of a place or social relationship. William and Noelle have used analog and experimental methods of show-making, such as handmade costuming, and quick, and directly functional fabrication in past collaborations to explore absurd notions of life and death, and will bring these overlaps to this collaborative installation. By combining the work of these three artists, space will be created to explore themes and ideas across multiple mediums and frameworks.

Kansas City-based artists Bryan Boone and Tanith K announce their collaborative visual art show delving into the intricate layers of the human condition. Titled "Matter + Perspective," this showcase intertwines Boone's conscientious compositions with Tanith's energetic analysis of emotions, resulting in a fusion of creativity and introspection.

The exhibition will be held at Vulpes Bastille (1737 Locust Street) in Kansas City, MO from November 3rd to November 19th, 2023. Visit the gallery on Sundays 1-4pm or by appointment. Patrons are encouraged to engage with the art, witness the interplay between two distinct creative visions, and explore the sincere connections that bind us all.

"Matter + Perspective" promises to be an enchanting visual journey into the human experience and provides an opportunity for viewers to immerse themselves in the captivating worlds crafted by Boone and Tanith. “We invite audiences to contemplate the intricacies of existence, celebrate diversity, and embrace the shared responsibility for communal well-being,” said Boone.

Boone's artistic process is centered around iterative design. Each work is a meditation of a core design developed during the drafting process allowing him to evolve his ideas and produce multiple versions. Through this deliberate repetition, Boone uncovers profound depths within his deceptively simple compositions, infusing them with a wealth of expression.

In contrast, Tanith draws inspiration from the tapestry of human experiences, delving into a wide range of emotions including but not limited to grief, contentment, and frustration. Chaotic layers meld together in their compositions, encapsulating the raw intensity of living within an elegant and minimalistic framework. Through their art, Tanith seeks to unravel the mysteries of the human condition and our place within it.

Boone and Tanith approach their art from different perspectives, but both utilize their creations as a means of meditation and reflection. They weave intricate complexities and details into otherwise simplistic compositions. Remarkably, their individual methodologies lead them to a convergence where two seemingly contradictory truths can coexist harmoniously.

“Through deep conversations and shared experiences, we learned more about one another. We discovered that our artistry and advocacy work land on similar core principles. Just as our creative practices invite viewers to ponder multitudes within the lens of simplicity, our shared commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive society reflects the power of empathy and growth.” said Tanith.

Vulpes Bastille is pleased to present, Place/Making a group exhibition by three recent University of Kansas MFA graduates, Tiana Nanayo Ku’uleialoha Honda, SK Reed, and Kirsten Taylor, whose exhibition explores how the artists find themselves at home. Each artist searches for deeper connections to place in an effort to feel more at home in a world in flux. Honda, Reed, and Taylor, three friends who met and made work while in Kansas, each consider place in relationship to their unique backgrounds.

Together, the artists of Place/Making speak to the realities of finding a home in the twenty-first century.

Vulpes Bastille is thrilled to present The Ritual of Healing by Nell Hull! This new series of ceramic sculpture was built through rituals centered around personal healing. Nell is a current resident at the KC Clay Guild.

Closure Is Not Justice is a public art project drawing attention to the 1988 explosion that killed six Kansas City firefighters, and the public campaign to generate false testimony among residents in the Marlborough neighborhood, turning neighbor against neighbor, all for the sake of closure. Local artists Andrew Johnson, Aja Mujinga, and more collaborated with defendant Bryan Sheppard on this multimedia project.

Through art, local history, counter-propaganda, and more, this project hopes to interrogate the Kansas City community's collective memory of this case, to consider the ways propaganda and media influence public opinion, and consider how public opinion in this case altered the outcome of the investigation.

The exhibition opens at Vulpes Bastille in the Main Gallery on Friday, September 1, and will be on display through September 24 with additional public viewings 1:00-4:00 p.m on Sundays September 3, 10, 17, and 24. There will be a panel discussion on “Law, Journalism, and Art” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th, and private viewings for individuals and groups can be scheduled by contacting closureisnotjustice@gmail.com.

Learn more about the project at www.closureisnotjustice.com

This project began as a flash of curiosity; what can I make out of trash? The visual appeal and design quality of single use, non-recyclable food packaging material is undeniable. The ability of graphic designers to create a packaging that entices another to purchase a specific product speaks to the artistic nuance of food marketing. My own curiosity led me to attempt to take this one step further. The idea that I might be able to create wearable articles of clothing out of non-fabric material designed for a very distinct purpose was deeply intriguing.

The main obstacles were twofold: First, how to make fun and colorful fabric designs out of food

packaging, and second, deciding what manner of garment is best suited to the fabric I create. The collection presented contains garments made from a variety of colorful food packaging, cut and pieced together following traditional quilting designs. It also includes accessories made to compliment the garment pieces for a comprehensive styled look. While the fabric patterns and design vary across each specific article of clothing the main inspiration for the textile design can be connected throughout the collection.