Oliver Michaels

Born in London, artist Oliver Michaels, now lives and works in Brooklyn. His videos and photographs depict uncanny assemblages made of everyday materials from his studio. Using editing devices, Michaels creates "digital bricolage" that is quirky in detail yet visually convincing. The structures and scenarios he makes have a liveliness (sometimes an apparent mind of their own) and randomness, though the stark white backgrounds and balanced compositions impart formal harmony. The befuddling and whimsical images are humorous but also beautiful in their simplicity. They reflect a distorted reality--an imitation of the mechanics of the world. Michaels uses the most basic elements of color, shape, texture, sound and movement to create a sense of wonder in even the most cynical viewer.