199 Water Street,
Seaport District NYC

Opening: Friday, March 13th 10am-8pm
March 13th-April 5th, 199 Water Street
Monday-Friday: 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-7pm

OPENING RECEPTION
THURSDAY MARCH 12, 7-10pm.

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@DCICIRELLi’s Vanity Project, Presented by Wallplay Network

Wallplay is pleased to present Dave Cicirelli’s Vanity Project. The exhibition includes a series of kinetic and kaleidoscopic immersive sculptures which both celebrate and mock selfie culture in plain sight. The first proof-of-concept for Cicirelli’s infinity shapes in a fine art context presents a preview into the ambitious scope of his latest work-in-progress. Vanity Project aims to shine a light on corrupted public validation, obstructed intimacy, and the aspiration of selfless self-expression.

This is the first publicly accessible version of Cicirelli’s Infinity Cube series. The sculptures allow for video to be integrated into the popularized “infinity” experience, while still preserving an uninterrupted and multiplied landscape. Each work, which contains both mirrored glass and moving image, can best be described playfully as “kinetic and transparent Zwirner-exploited Kusamas’ turned on their head”. Additionally, they are fully observable from the outside. Yet once inside, visitors will only be able to view the interior. This allows for an audience to have two-way mirror access to the self-indulgences of participants who venture within.

The abstract implications of virtual life are distilled through Cicerelli’s repeated landscape. At its most basic level, the sculptures create the illusion of depth—both literally and figuratively. Visitors will step inside the installation to essentially look into a screen, but that screen doubles as a mirror--carrying their own image and reproducing it endlessly.

The irony of Vanity Project is that the piece itself is undoubtedly perfect for the Instagram era. But unlike on social media, its observers aren’t in control of how they’re seen. While inside, they cannot see out. Taking a selfie is confronted with the absurdity of the act—intensifying the tension between capturing the moment and experiencing one. Between the twin pulls of voyeurism and narcissism, Cicirelli treats mirror as a medium, both to confront and subvert the excesses of self-image.

Featuring content collaboration with Jillian Lee (@JillianLee), Jason Malihan (@SnowflakeNYC)and Kaz Araki (@DjangoGuitar).

Support the arts, follow Wallplay on Instagram: @Wallplaynetwork | #WallplaySeaport

Support the artist, and follow him on Instagram: @dcicirelli