Artists Noelle Choy and Adams Puryear explore speculations of humanity’s precarious future with the collaborative exhibition Control≈Center. Bad Seed’s 400- square foot space visualizes the idea of the “people in charge” operating a control center from their doomsday bunker, visualized through painting, video, performance and sculpture. Created is a cinematic interpretation of “end of times” which is critical
in our continued political, social, and environmental disparities. The multifaceted installation will be on view through the month of April 2024 at the mixed-use space in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, MO.

The single largest component is a papier-mâché 20 ft x 30ft L‑shaped sculpture inspired by consoles in science-fiction films such as the Alien movies. Embedded into the structure are screens playing mundane video clips, ceramic objects mimicking control panels, personal items, and other detritus that may be nearby a monitoring system. Throughout is a series of large scale paintings of graphs attempting to organize information in preparation for the ‘end of the world’, a 4‑ft ceramic guard dog, and a compilation video of several billionaires discussing doomsday bunkers inspired by post-apocalyptic movies. Predominantly featured are costumes to be used in a performative group procession.

The procession will take place opening night April 5, assisted by many individuals in the arts community such as students, fellow artists, and the general public, all led by members of local improvisational musical groups EMAS and street parade brass band Sass-a-Brass. Manifesting the cyclical shared anxiety running through the exhibition, in reflection of the world at this point in time, there will be a long snake puppet carried by a line of participants. The procession will begin in the gallery, walk a defined route and end back in the gallery space culminating into an ouroboros, or the snake eating its own tail. The opening event will be a ceremonial testament to mythology creating itself in real time.

Control≈Center presents an absurdist installation for the end of the world with a free opening performance and closing poetry reading. The audience can examine their thoughts in a curious setting that mirrors the intensity of the internet, media, and popular culture. Preparing for the inevitable end when society tries to control and skew possible outcomes, the only constant is our humanness.

One of the underlying premises in assembling the Belger Collection is the importance of collecting multiple works over time by the same artist. Collecting in depth provides a glimpse through the artwork into how the artist approaches life, love, loss, and the other inevitable changes over the course of time. The viewer brings a perspective through unique memories and personal experiences that leave a mark and inform identity.

The artists in Whispers and Screams explore their memories and perceptions of people, places, and moments in time. Some of those memories are loud and jarring. Others are more reflective and have softened with the passage of time. There are examples of stereotypes, idealized love, lust, romance, excitement, loss, and regret. There are glimpses into the complexity of communities at all levels, the commonalities, and the differences.

The works selected for this exhibition focus on people, histories, and relationships. Human beings are pack animals. People look for their communities and how to understand their place in them. In the course of that exploration, an understanding develops of the past, present, and future.

Artists included in the exhibition: Terry Allen, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Nick Bubash, Clayton Bailey, William Christenberry, Robert Cottingham, John De Andrea, Viola Frey, Michael Hannon, Jasper Johns, Guy Johnson, Kate Kretz, Wes Lyle, Ed Massey, Jack Mendenhall, Jerry Ott, Joey Quiñones, Mel Ramos, Robert Rauschenberg, Don Reitz, Larry Rivers, Alex Siburney, Herb Snitzer, Robert Stackhouse, Renée Stout, Akio Takamori, William T. Wiley, and Winter & Williams.

“Kansas City” features 170 pieces of original artwork by more than 80 different artists, and there is a style for every taste! 

Join us for First Friday in April for beer, wine, soft drinks, and tons of great artwork! “Kansas City” invites you immerse yourself in a beautiful collection of works that celebrate our city’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and iconic landmarks — created by local artists! 

All art sales benefit Kansas City Parks & Recreation and their mission to improve the quality of life, health and wellness of our community by providing socially equitable, community-driven programming and environmentally sound natural resource management. 50% of sales go to KC Parks & Recreation and the remaining 50% goes directly to artists for their wonderful creations. Artworks are available for sale in person or online at ButtonwoodArtSpace.com. 

Jones Gallery April Art Show!

First Friday, April 5th Opening from 5 till 8 pm.

Show runs thru May 2nd.

All welcome and always free, thanks!

Regular Gallery hours are by appointment,
from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Sunday

Jones Gallery 1717 Walnut, KCMO. 64108
816 – 421‑2111
https://jonesgallerykc.com/