Artist of the Week: Michael Kloss

Sometimes mystery can be a great enticer, and with the on-line presence of Michael Kloss it is all about mystery. If you visit his website you will find seven enlarged images with complex sound collages attached. It is fascinating, but it doesn't give you a lot of insight on who Michael is as an artist or what you can expect at his current show at the newly opened The Hills Esthetic Center. That is why I decided to ask Michael a few questions.

Orange Alert (OA): What can you tell us about the new show at The Hills Esthetic Center, The Hills Have Thighs?
Michael Kloss (KL): The Hills Esthetic Center is an extension of the hills, which is our show space for music and debauchery. Over the last few years we have been gaining popularity and we have decided to open up this little gallery. We hope to set ourself apart from the rest of the apartment gallery's in Chicago by trying to focus on solo shows and taking advantage of our unique space (tiki bar and music venue)

OA: How did you select the pieces for this show?
MK: My close friends who run the gallery (Ron Ewert, Dustin Ruegger Maggie Taylor and Katy Keefe) curated my work that has been made in the last 3 years. It started as a drawing show but turned it to this multi media affair which is a better representation of how i have been working.

OA: I am fascinated by the audio samples on your website. What types of things are you recording and will there be any audio involved with the show?
MK: Over the last year i have been concentrating on making sound music whatever you call it. The process is like this most of the time, go buy cassettes and vhs at thrift store sample the shit out of whatever i purchased which is usually new age shit or nature recordings as well as motivational recordings throw in a little sample from a movie or two (Friday, The Abyss, Blade Runner etc.) i will take all these samples mush them in a stew of synths beats drum machine presets. This all becomes a trance and when I'm at the point of hunger i quit. Lately i have become more excited by using you tube to make these trances it allows access to everything although the hunt for material is obviously different the result is more dynamic the universe is radical in the web, with the vhs and cassetes I become dated, not everything in life has to be a reflection on our childhood. There is one audio piece in the show, i mounted speakers in a gatorade jug hung it from the ceiling and you stick your head in and it plays samples of lil wayne talking about his drug use mixed with drum circles and Jeff Goldblum talking about motion sickness. Kinda nonsense kinda not, i made it the night before the show so i not sure of the importance or validity yet.

OA: The Hills Esthetic Center is a fairly new venue. What are your thoughts on the space?
MK: It's pretty dope and it looks like a real gallery with the white walls and stuff.

OA: What are your thoughts on the art scene in Chicago in general? Is this a good place for a young artist?
MK: Since i moved here four years ago its seems to be expanding into this network of young artist run gallery spaces. which has improved the creative vibe around the city. its possible that i was not aware of this when i first got here but i am a shut in/ addicted to cable television. i think there is a huge opportunity for this city to have a good art scene

OA: What’s next for Michael Kloss?
MK: Becoming more professional in how i treat my work. With this show that is up i ve got a chance to see my work framed and clean and separated from the mess that is usually involved. i really want to have another show soon somewhere expand my universe (the hills have thighs) into the other universe. Also i want to gain confidence get a bigger ego and become an asshole .... sort of.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
MK: The Olson twins

OA: What type of music do you enjoy and who are a few of your favorites?
MK: Funny thing is i don't listen to a lot of music but i do like soulja boy tell em and the rolling stones.

The Hills Have Thighs opened at The Hills Esthetic Center (128 N. Campbell,Chicago, IL 60612) on Jan. 22nd. For more information on Michael Kloss please visit his website.