John Groo courtesy Real Art Ways

Currently on view at Real Art Ways in Hartford, Connecticut is a site specific installation by New York-based Chris Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek’s installation seems to tap into the artery of the Bush-era Red/Orange/Yellow zone thinking, wherein one was (is?) perpetually made aware of the changing safety of the current situation, as well as drawing on the theme of citizen surveillance — meant to heighten greater public safety, but which ultimately wafts a pungent scent of paranoia through the air. The installation, on view through September 13th , exhibits live video feeds of people moving about the space as well as footage of toy soldier-like figurines, sculpted by the artist, caught by discreetly placed cameras throughout Real Art Ways.

John Groo courtesy Real Art Ways

Chris Kaczmarek earned his MFA in studio art and MA in modern and contemporary art history from State University New York at Purchase, and his BFA from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. His site specific installations and other works have been exhibited internationally, including at Trinity College Science Gallery, Dublin; Henry Street Abrons Art Center, New York; Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, Ohio; and Starving Artist Gallery, Raleigh, North Carolina.