Celebration by Raul de Nieves at Knockdown Center. Photo by Marcela Pardo

Raul de Nieves

Raul de Nieves is a large-scale figurative sculptor, narrative painter, ornamental shoe and garment designer, multimedia performance artist, and musician. De Nieves’ sculptural shoes and installations are predominantly comprised of colorful, intricate beadwork and respectively act as prop and stage for his lavish performances. His work marries a fairytale aesthetic with subversive tones of rebellion, resulting in an experience of unearthly decadence. De Nieves’ performances have been exhibited at The Whitney Museum, MoMA PS1, MoMA San Francisco, and Performa. For Anxious Spaces: Installation as Catalyst, Raul de Nieves presented Celebration, an installation and performance. De Nieves created multicolored beaded and plaster sculptural works for the installation of Celebration. Winged children, representing the different stages of life, hung suspended in the air or gathered around the main alter piece where the bejeweled "Mother" sculpture rested. Awakening from his party tomb, howling spirits arose with de Nieves' unearthly incantations.

Anxious Spaces: Installation as Catalyst

A group exhibition in which six installation artists engage a space beckoning with desire and opportunity. Knockdown Center's cathedral-like complex, with its breathtaking expanse, mysterious sub-chambers, surprise annexes, and hidden pockets, is a dream environment for site-specific and installation art. In addition, these works incorporate dynamic and time-based elements ranging from robotic interactivity to performance events to social intervention. Taken together, the architecture and the artworks transform the space into a surreal bazaar of curiosities for the adventurous. Opening June 15th, from 2-6pm. Special artist talk/tour at 5pm. The exhibition is open every Saturday and Sunday, from June 15 to July 6, 2-6pm. Click HERE to find out about the July 5th Performance Festival!

Anxious Spaces: Performance Festival

A celebration of artists using installation work as a platform for performance, featuring Raul de Nieves, Christian Joy, Hisham Bharoocha, Brian Chase, Desi Santiago,and more.

Anxious Spaces: Raul de Nieves

Raul de Nieves awakens from his party tomb in this recording of the magical and mystifying artist performing live in his own installation Celebration for the Anxious Spaces Performance Festival at Knockdown center. Howling spirits arise with de Nieves' unearthly incantations.

Anxious Spaces, Artist Interviews

Artists Christian Joy (soft sculpture), Ben Wolf (welded parasite), and Hisham Bharoocha (drum circle) in conversation on site at the Clocktower's Anxious Spaces exhibition at Knockdown Center. On view June 15-July 6, 2014. This program is posted in three parts so listeners can advance quickly to select an artist segment using the player navigation menu. Anxious Spaces is a group exhibition in which six installation artists engage a space beckoning with desire and opportunity. Knockdown Center's cathedral-like complex, with its breathtaking expanse, mysterious sub-chambers, surprise annexes, and hidden pockets, is a dream environment for site-specific and installation art. In addition, these works incorporate dynamic and time-based elements ranging from robotic interactivity to performance events to social intervention. Taken together, the architecture and the artworks transform the space into a surreal bazaar of curiosities for the adventurous.