KINI: The Void

In his only second solo exhibition, Kini creates a world of his own. In contrast to his last Boston-based solo show, Playing with Fire, The Void is what happens when the fire goes out and he is left to play in the dark. He approached each piece by creating the background before forming shapes and silhouettes on the canvas. The works therefore reflect the process of adjusting to darkness. As our pupils dilate, we let in more light, we register more information, and we begin to see. The very etymology of the word void is just as ambiguous as Kini’s own world. It has been used to give a name to vacancy, destitution, and that which has been forgotten. But it has also been used to describe something that has not been tainted and remains untouched. Throughout its history, the word void has been closely associated with the mind and with the concept of ownership. The setting of both freedom and restriction, Kini’s void seeks to explore the power of light and visibility in a

monochromatic world. By combining still subjects and dynamic backgrounds, past and future, strange and familiar, as well as landscapes and portraits — Kini challenges any urge for objectivity. He presents The Void.