Phantasmagorical
April 6 - 29, 2018
Artist Statement
It has been said that my work is a study on nostalgia and isolation. As a photographer I am naturally forced to play the role of distant observer. My subjects often include a fusion of inverses: waterscapes & deserts, lush blooming landscapes with the desolate abandoned wilderness, and saturated fantastical elements fused with muted tones. Phantasmagoria was once a form of horror theatre that utilized lanterns and mirrors to project frightening or grotesque images onto walls or screens. It was unclear to the observer what reality was. In my own search for truth I struggle with navigating reality. In Phantasmagorical, I played with juxtaposition and the idea of mirages and dreams. The composite imagery showcased here has origins from real-life travels and together they form a new reality influenced by solitude and desire.
"Phantasmagorical" is on view at Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis, California.
Reception: Friday, April 13, 2018, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
"Phantasmagorical" is on view at Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis, California.
Reception: Friday, April 13, 2018, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Artist Bio
Artist and writer Crystal Joy Vagnier is driven by impulses and extremes. Unable to speak until she was three years old, Crystal spent her formative years building secret forest hideaways, writing, illustrating, & collaging stories, and befriending stray animals. Her work is diverse; she spent the early 2000’s working in experimental theater, independent film, and puppetry until moving forward post-2008 with visual art and the written word. She earned an MFA from the City College of New York and is an award-winning essayist and playwright. Her work is inspired by Dadaism and Surrealism, her international travels, and the struggle for balance. Originally from New York, Crystal lives and works in Davis, California.