Olaf Breuning
at Michael Benevento

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Olaf Breuning (2015) (installation view). Image courtesy the artist and Michael Benevento.

In an art world that often takes itself too seriously, it’s refreshing to discover an artist who approaches life with humor and joy. Olaf Breuning takes this tact with his self-titled exhibition now on view at Michael Benevento.

Dominating the main gallery is a series ocular Photoshopped collages adhered to the wall as large vinyl stickers. The works present a riotous assemblage of people and objects staring deadpan at the camera. Phrases such as I want to be strong like a tiger, and Think until you stink, are woven throughout the composition. These pieces encapsulate the chaos of digital media with their information overload, and contain winking reference to the dominant iconography of emoji. Similarly, Breuning’s black-and-white drawings of personified objects smooching or his wildly patterned animals have a Keith Haring-esque feeling of exuberance.

Screening in the second gallery is Breuning’s Life, a trilogy of videos which—due to the acoustics of the room—are nearly inaudible. However, streaming versions can be found via the artist’s website, where we can follow Breuning’s wide-eyed narrator as he bumbles through his world travels, garnering hugs and grimaces alike with his Pollyanna antics. Perhaps the comfort of one’s own home—or computer chair—provides a more accurate venue for Olaf’s entertaining YouTubian escapades.

Olaf Breuning runs June 13–July 30, 2015 at Michael Benevento (7578/ 7556 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046)

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Olaf Breuning (2015) (installation view). Image courtesy the artist and Michael Benevento.

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Olaf Breuning, Home II (2007) (video still), video with sound, 30:26 minutes. Image courtesy the artist and Michael Benevento.