Art Duo KX2, sisters Dana Kleinman & Ruth Avra on view at Coral Springs Art Museum

CORAL SPRINGS MUSEUM OF ART EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Opening April 11:    "NEAR THE RIVERS THERE ARE MANY LARGE SPRINGS"  A Group Exhibition with MILENA ARANGO, DONNA RUFF, KX2 (RUTH AVRA AND DANA KLEINMAN) KX2 is delighted to announce the opening of their new group exhibition at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. This exhibition invites viewers to consider the Florida landscape and explore the evolving environment through the artistic perspectives they have, along with two other distinguished South Florida artists. KX2's collective endeavor is rooted in an exploration of raw data analysis, the innovative use of repurposed materials, and a deep reverence for nature. Central to their narrative is the critical discourse surrounding the evolving environmental dynamics of our region. This exhibition will present an array of new works from their studio that not only exemplify the evolution of their practice but also reflect their unwavering commitment to these vital themes. Additionally, KX2 is privileged to feature a new installation of their noteworthy wall sculpture "Boil Notice" reflecting data from March 2024 which serves as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with natural resources and infrastructure. The opening reception will be on April 11th, 5:30-8pm and art lovers and collectors are cordially invited to join as we all celebrate this occasion.  Ghost Gear, 2024 (studio installation view) polished stainless steel with found fishing rope, beach debris, paint and mixed media   About the exhibit:   Near the rivers there are many large springs is an exhibition that highlights the Florida landscape from the lenses of four South Florida artists that use historical elements, raw data, repurposed materials, and nature to create awareness of the changing environment in the area. Milena Arango’s leaf imprints on paper and textile using natural pigments extracted from the teak tree serve as a reflection of her personal journey. Her 197-feet long VTG (Vestigium Tectona Grandis) exposes traces of leaves and the effects of land and water from multiple landscapes. Donna Ruff’s interest in history and the tropical landscape led her to discover archival landscape photographs in a 1920’s book by John Kunkel Small. Inspired by his call to protect Florida’s wetlands a century ago, Ruff’s created silkscreens from her landscape photographs on locations previously captured by Small, and printed them on pages of a book by Small that identifies flora in Miami. KX2 presents artworks made with repurposed materials, raising awareness on issues related to climate change and water infrastructure. Boil Notice focuses on a lack of access to potable water, industrial waste pollution, and the effect of climate change on our water infrastructure. And works from Obstruction Series aim to raise an awareness of the dependence on the vast and hidden networks of utility pipes of our modern world and the pressures they face with climate change, population growth and pollution. The title of the exhibition comes from the book Ferns of Florida by John Kunkel Small, repurposing a phrase used to describe the lavish conditions that Florida’s landscape offers for the abundant growth of ferns. For an exhibition that celebrates repurposing, re-using, and recovering, the use of this phrase, written almost a hundred years ago, serves as a reminder of the natural conditions of the land we currently inhabit. Exhibition On View: April 11 through July 20, 2024 MORE INFORMATION

ArtServe Art & Chat with KX2 Ruth Avra & Dana Kleinman

Friday, July 10th from 3-4pm ArtServe Live presents an art and chat with South Florida art duo KX2: Ruth Avra & Dana Kleinman. KX2 is a collaboration of sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman, combining their individual artistic strengths to create mathematically inspired sculpture through the fusing of metal and painting. The work is bold and geometric from a distance, yet up close, the textural hand-sanded metal and multi-layered paintings engages the viewer. Through the exploration of geometry, symmetry and connection, their work aims to create a moment of pause, inviting the viewer to escape the stresses of the day and find a space to achieve balance.

Since the establishment of their artistic collaboration in 2007, KX2’s work has been featured in notable galleries and museums around the world. Importantly, the work was catapulted into the international art scene with an invitation to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Biennale at the National Art Museum of China. Numerous private, corporate and public art collections throughout North America contain KX2 works of art.

www.kx2art.com
KX2 (Ruth Avra + Dana Kleinman)

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Meet KX2: Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman, Artists & Sisters Who Create Striking Wall and Freestanding Sculpture Together

The artist/sister collaboration known as KX2 combines the strengths of Dana Kleinman and Ruth Avra. Their work was swiftly put into the public eye with an invitation to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Biennale at the National Museum of China, running in conjunction with the Summer Olympics. Since 2007, their work has been featured in numerous museums and galleries across the United States and abroad.

KX2: Dana Kleinman and Ruth Avra Kleinman

Perhaps it was blood, or simply a similar upbringing, that eventually led to the coming together of aesthetics. Whether arranged in group installations or solo pieces, each work involves a sense of rhythm and mathematics. Not only does this reflect nature in its patterns, but it also ties the artists together as sisters, who were undeniably influenced by their mathematician father and scientist mother.

ID SERIES: ROSALINDAluminum, Acrylic on Wood Panel 52″ x 52″

The duo recently held Spring-Summer Exhibitions at CICA Museum, Korea; Whitewall Contemporary “Water” in Delray Beach, FL; the Market Art + Design Hamptons fair in July 2019 at the Bridgehampton Museum, NY. KX2 has artwork in galleries throughout the United States and two galleries in Florida, represented by MAC Fine Art in Fort Lauderdale and Jupiter; as well as Whitewall Contemporary in Delray Beach.

Portal Series: Blue & GoldDana Kleinman & Ruth Avra Collection
New ArtRolled Stainless Steel, Powder Coated70″ x 67″ x 48″

They are currently exhibiting in the group show ‘New Industry: Contemporary Visions of the Industrial‘ at The Frank Modern in Pembroke Pines, FL. The exhibition opened on Thursday, August 29th and focuses on industrial aesthetic, blurring the lines between fine art, mechanical design and fabrication while also challenging traditional artmaking materials and techniques. New Industry is on display from August 29th through October 26th, 2019.

KX2 at The Frank Gallery in Pembroke Pines, New Industry: Contemporary Visions of the Industrial, which runs from August 29 through October 26, 2019.

From a distance, the work looks sleek and high contrast with hyper-pigmented painting and shiny metal. Yet, up close the viewer is struck by textural multilayered paintings inspired by natural surfaces.

PIPELINE SERIES: SOLAR POWER10.5″ Diameter Panels with Depth Ranging 2-4″ (angled)
Repurposed Industrial Pipe with Painting on Wood Interiors

By undermining the minimalist first impression the work brings a sense of wonder and discovery to the viewer the more time they spend. Multiple panels that shift in depth off the wall talk about boundaries and disparate parts, with geometry and color tying the pieces together and creating connection.

KX2 Sculpture, ‘Birthstones Series’, 2016. 3d Powder Coated Aluminum Construction with Painting on Canvas. This work is signed (etched into the metal), each panel is 18″ x 18″ x 4″

From KX2’s Birthstones Series pictured above, the panels incorporate 3d aluminum construction with textural painting on canvas seen through cutouts in the metal. The work is bold from a distance yet engaging up close as the viewer discovers the many layers of painting textures and hues. The work is lightweight and can be installed any number of ways. 

KX2 Installation at Art Fort Lauderdale

“We tackle various themes through our different series, however the common thread is always connection and balance. We are focused on the solution, not simply illustrating the problem.” The artist duo is environmentally conscious of their material choices, using up to 50% recycled aluminum and recycled canvas.

Water Pipes, 2018Repurposed industrial pipe with paint and mixed media, 40″ x 12″ x 12″

Dana and Ruth will be hosting a workshop at The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall on Saturday, October 12th from 10am – 12pm when The Frank presents Industrial Adornments. Under the guidance of artist duo KX2, students will discover a variety of beginner jewelry-making techniques, essential terminology and an introduction to basic tools and materials.

A jewelry designer as well as a metalsmith, Ruth Avra holds a degree in Art Jewelry from the University of Wisconsin Madison and runs her own jewelry company, Avra Inc. This event is free to the public. All materials will be provided and there is no prior experience required, ages 12yrs+.

Sterling silver open back constructed boxes are 1″ square with a depth slope of 1/8″ to 3/8″. These one-of-a-kind pieces are sealed in resin for protection from the elements, making them water resistant. Each necklace is on a sterling silver 18″ chain necklace.

To learn more about the fascinating artist duo KX2, and for information on how to purchase or commission their work, please visit www.kx2art.com and browse KX2 Jewelry to view the duo’s one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces.