Aaron Young: Performance, Destruction & Action

Key Takeaways

• Aaron Young is a multidisciplinary artist known for his dynamic works that explore the intersection of performance, destruction, and raw energy.
• Born in 1972 in San Francisco, Young holds a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Yale University.
• Young's work has been extensively exhibited internationally, with solo shows in major cities and participation in prestigious art events like the Art Basel Miami Beach.
• His performance pieces often involve marginalized rebels, such as skateboarders and motorcycle riders, to perform stunts in exhibition spaces.
• Young's artistic practice encompasses a wide range of mediums, including video, drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography.

Aaron Young has made a huge impact with 150 solo exhibitions around the world in just 13 years. Born in 1972 in San Francisco, Young's work has amazed people everywhere, mixing performance, destruction, and energy into unforgettable moments.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University, Young has become a major figure in the art world. He's known for his bold and innovative creations that challenge what's possible in art.

Aaron Young: The Rebel Artist Embracing Extreme Energy

Aaron Young is a famous artist known for his extreme action art. He uses skateboarders and motorcycle riders in his performances. These are recorded in videos, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photos.

Young's work reflects his interest in urban culture and the Fluxus art movement. Fluxus valued chance and challenged traditional art norms.

Young's art shows the energy and rebellion of his subjects. He believes, "My art is about the process, the energy, the moment. It's not about the end result, but the journey." His use of extreme action makes him a rebel artist, embracing energy and urban culture in his work.

The Genesis: San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University

At the San Francisco Art Institute, Young learned about different art forms. He developed a keen eye for detail and a love for performance in art.

At Yale University, Young explored a mix of art forms for his Master's degree. This experience helped him create his signature style. It combines performance, destruction, and action, loved by many worldwide.

"The time I spent at the San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University was instrumental in shaping my artistic identity. It was there that I discovered my passion for blending different mediums and challenging the conventions of traditional art-making."- Aaron Young

Young's early years at these top schools set the stage for his global career. He's known for his innovative and thought-provoking art.

Exploring Urban Culture and the Spirit of Fluxus

Aaron Young's work often blends elements of urban culture with the spirit of the Fluxus. He creates artifacts from live incidents and objects from alternative and hidden communities. Young seeks new forms of aesthetic expression, connecting insiders and outsiders.

Through his work, Young connects alternative and hidden communities with traditional art. He combines traditional theatre with digital elements, as seen in "The Builders Association: Performance and Media in Contemporary Theater."

In his latest exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, Young presents glass casts of wrecking balls. These were crafted in Murano, Venice, blending urban culture and the spirit of Fluxus in his work. His focus on the body in performance art is highlighted in "The Explicit Body in Performance" and "Performing Remains: Art and War in Times of Theatrical Reenactment."

"Aaron Young's work often blends elements of urban culture with the spirit of the Fluxus movement, creating artifacts from live incidents and tangible objects drawn from the cultures of alternative and hidden communities."

Monumental Installations: Greeting Card and Arc Light

Aaron Young is a famous artist known for his Monumental Installations. His works include "Greeting Card" (2007) at the Park Avenue Armory in New York and "Arc Light" (2008) at the Red October Chocolate Factory in Moscow. These Spectacular Settings are where Young's participants, like skateboarders and motorcycle riders, show off their skills.

"Greeting Card" is a huge, interactive piece that mixes art and performance. It has a big, spinning platform where skaters and riders do cool tricks, making a stunning show of skill and creativity.

"Arc Light" is all about light and movement. It has a circle with moving lights that make a rhythmic and mesmerizing show. This matches the dynamic acts of Young's performers.

"These works show Young's skill in making Spectacular Settings that mix art and performance. They make viewers feel and think deeply."

Through his Monumental Installations, Aaron Young brings performance art to life. He turns ordinary places into amazing and unforgettable art experiences.

Wrecking Balls: Fragile Symbols of Destruction

Aaron Young's latest show at Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills features life-size glass casts of wrecking balls. These Fragile Sculptures are made in Murano, Venice, known for its glass-making. They show the power of destruction in a delicate form, highlighting the Transition Between Aesthetic Past and Present that fascinates Young.

The contrast between the wrecking ball and glass is striking. It makes us think about creation and destruction. Young's Wrecking Balls turn these tools into fragile, almost ethereal art pieces.

Young's work makes us see the world and its forces differently. The Fragile Sculptures talk about the fleeting nature of progress. They show the balance between making and destroying, and how cities change.

This exhibition lets viewers explore complex themes in Young's art. The Wrecking Balls symbolize the shift from the past to the present.

Aaron Young, Performance, Destruction, Energy, Skateboarders, Motorcycle, Action

Young loves the energy of skateboarders and motorcycle fans. He's a fan of Seismic's 75.5mm Blackops Alphas. Denham Hill prefers Seismic Focus 95A. Rachel Bagels likes Elixir Urchins, Tantrums, and Alphas. Tony Gale's go-to is the 95a Focus urethane wheels.

Young is also a skilled extreme sports athlete. He won 1st place in Juniors and 4th place in Opens at Knox Mountain Dh 2023. Denham Hill got 3rd place at the Euro Freestyle Championships in 2022. Rachel Bagels placed 2nd worldwide and won a race in the rain. Tony Gale won the World Championship in 2017 and the Eurocana Reunion in 2016, despite a broken elbow.

Deondre Nubine helps new downhill skaters improve. Trick skateboards have wheels from 54-59 millimeters. Commuter skateboards are 60-75 millimeters, with a max of 105 millimeters. The term "skateboard" comes from using roller skates on a board.

Aaron Young's art combines urban culture's energy and destruction. It offers a captivating experience for viewers. His work shows the power of performance art and his unapologetic spirit.

Iron Barricades Recast in Gold: Insiders Say and Various Reports

Aaron Young is a renowned artist who continues to challenge urban culture and the spirit of Fluxus. He takes battered iron barricades and turns them into sculptures of cast gold-plated steel. He has equipped them with gritty titles. These pieces mix high and low art and come from the culture of alternative communities.

Young is known for turning everyday objects into thought-provoking art. By covering iron barricades in gold , he makes us reflect on what is valuable. These sculptures show how beauty can be found in the neglected parts of cities.

Those close to Young say his work has deep meaning. They believe he is showing how art can be both exclusive and open to all. Using iron barricades as gritty titles, Young makes us think about the boundary between art and everyday life.

Young continues to explore the limits of Fluxus and urban culture with his gold-plated sculptures. They are a bold statement about the connection between art, public space and Young's career.

Burnt Rubber Paintings: Ominous Phrases and Casual Displays

Aaron Young, a famous artist, has made a new series called "Burnt Rubber Paintings." He uses glass panels and sprays them with burnt rubber for a raw look. Then, he adds phrases like "Beware of Locals!" to the panels, mixing the casual with the ominous.

Young explores urban culture through these paintings. The mix of scary phrases and laid-back presentation makes you feel uneasy. This is what Young is known for, always trying new things in art.

These paintings show the energy and grit of city life. Young uses unusual materials and bold text to make you think. They show the complex sides of city living in a powerful way.

Aaron Young's "Burnt Rubber Paintings" show his bold approach to art. He mixes scary and casual to make us see the city differently. These works show Young's creative vision and how he connects with people all over the world.

International Exhibitions: From New York to Moscow

Aaron Young's dynamic artworks have left a mark on the global art scene. His work was featured in the "Greater New York" showcase at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City in 2005. This event solidified his reputation as a rising star in contemporary art.

Young's explorations of performance, destruction, and energy were celebrated in the "Whitney Biennial: Day for Night" at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York in 2006. This exhibition cemented his status as a leading figure in the art world. He is known for his uncompromising and visceral style.

Beyond the United States, Young's work was showcased at the Second Moscow Biennale in 2007. This allowed his art to reach a broader international audience. These prestigious exhibitions have helped elevate Young's profile and solidify his position as a trailblazer in contemporary art.

Career

Solo Exhibitions
Young has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide. In 2011, his works were shown at ALWAYS FOREVER NOW at Almine Rech in Paris, SPIT & FIGHT CURSE & BITE at Carlson/Massimo de Carlo in London, and BUILT TOUGH at Bortolami Gallery in New York. His 2010 exhibitions included notable venues such as Museo Civico Diocesano of Santa Maria dei Servi in Italy, MACRO (Museo d’Arte Contemporanea) and Teatro di Marcello in Rome, and Repeat Offender at Kukje Gallery in Seoul, Korea. He also exhibited THE RIGHT WAY TO DO WRONG at Gagosian Gallery in Los Angeles in 2010. In 2008, his work PUNCHLINE was featured at Bortolami Gallery in New York, while Arc Light was shown in Moscow at Gagosian Gallery.

Group Exhibitions
Aaron Young’s work has also been part of significant group exhibitions. In 2012, he participated in Rebel at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. In 2011, his pieces were exhibited in Fresh Kills at Anonymous Gallery in Mexico City, and in Post 9-11 at OHWOW in Los Angeles. His involvement in exhibitions like Yotta Paintings at Massimo De Carlo in Milan in 2010 and Brucennial in New York reflects his strong presence in the global contemporary art scene.

Young’s works have been included in numerous exhibitions at prominent institutions such as the Saatchi Gallery in London and The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. He has also participated in prestigious art events like Art Basel Miami Beach, showcasing the versatility and boldness of his artistic vision.

Museum Collections
Aaron Young's works are part of esteemed museum collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.

Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Young has received various accolades, including the Chancey McKeever Award from the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and the New Genres Award from the San Francisco Art Institute.

Publications
Young's work has been extensively reviewed and featured in major publications, including Artforum, The New York Times, Modern Painters, and W Magazine. These articles often highlight his unique approach to blending performance, destruction, and raw energy into his art.

Source Links

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