Close the Light
ARTIST
Kristofferson San Pablo
ON VIEW
January 18 - February 8, 2025
SUMMARY
Known Studio is excited to present Kristofferson San Pablo in solo exhibition and performance “Close the Light”. For this exhibition, San Pablo presents a special installation of drawings, paintings, photo, ephemera along with a performance piece titled "Drawing Restraint 3000" in which San Pablo will be doing live portraits of visitors while they attempt to hit him with house slippers (flip-flop/tsinelas/chanclas,etc). The gesture is a reference to San Pablo's Filipino upbringing, as well as many Asian, Latin & African upbringings in which a mother uses her slipper as a means of discipline.
Though this form of corporal punishment can be harmful or oppressive, many consider the rubber slipper "lite" as opposed to other forms of discipline brought on many times by the father, usually in the form of a belt. For the artist, this performance serves as a safe space between people who grew up during a time where corporal punishment was the norm in many households.
The title "Drawing Restraint 3000" is a reference to the artist Matthew Barney's 'Drawing Restraint' performance series where Barney takes the idea of "Artist as Athlete" & physically restrains himself while drawing. Along with Barney, San Pablo's also cites many conceptual & performance works by Marina Abramovic, Chris Burden, Butoh, Felix Gonzales-Torres, Bob Ross, Jackass & George Bush Jr. as influences for this performance.
Aside from art historical references, San Pablo cites his Filipino upbringing & bootleg/counterfeit culture (specifically stating that Asian people are very good at it) as a way to remix & re-contextualize an idea. By re-appropriating Barney's title & adding "3000" at the end, this performance symbolizes a type of 'looking forward' or optimistic future for the artist & the participants.
Join us for the show’s opening reception Saturday, January 18 from 7-11PM. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds made from all art sales will be donated towards Los Angeles fire relief.
Drawing Restraint 3000
