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DC-based artist Kunj will open the return of Siren Arts, a weekly performance art exhibit kicking off 7:15 pm tonight [July 11] along the waterfront. 

Questioning and rebelling against institutional ideas of race, gender and queerness, Kunj uses ritual performance and structure to explore the notion of no-identity versus new-identity, according to a statement about the artist. 

“A lot of what I do is gesture making; a hybrid of posing and repetition,” Kunj said during a meet the artist cocktail hour held Tuesday evening at Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery, located inside The Asbury. 

Kunj, who received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and studio art from the University of Maryland, and has performed at Grace Exhibition Space in New York, Transformer DC, The Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, EMP Collective in Maryland, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and Platforms Project in Athens, Greece.  

His performance work is largely based on finding contrast and/or a reaction to space around him. This time around, Kunj will use a white fabric [in the ilk of a shroud] to express his voyage into emotion through a series of rituals on grief and growth. 

“I’ve never performed on a beach before, not with intent,” he said. “I’m using the most invisible thing I could in a very public space but I’m also very in your face about it.”

Having arrived on Sunday, Kunj has spent the week developing his performance piece, which includes sourcing materials from along the beachfront and throughout the community.  

Curated by Victoria Reis, executive and artistic director of Transformer – a 17-year-old DC-based visual arts’ non-profit, Siren Arts is the local expansion of their mission to connect and promote emerging urban visual artists from DC, Philadelphia, Newark, and New York. Reis is an Ocean Township native who runs Transformer from her Neptune home. 

“Transformer’s goal with Siren Arts is to empower the participating artists and engage audiences in both reflection and positive action around ocean conservation and its implications in all other social activism,” Reis has said. 

Now in its third year, Siren Arts themes have included ‘They Will Not Replace Us’ and ‘Turning The Tide.’ This year’s program is entitled ‘Into the Mystic’ and runs through August 22, with a meet the artist cocktail hour being held 6 pm Tuesdays at Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery inside The Asbury [210 Fifth Ave] and 7:15 pm Thursday performances on the beach at Second Avenue. 

With Into the Mystic, artists reflect on just how the sea moves us physically, spiritually, and emotionally, Reis said. They include Kunj, Jane Carver of Philadelphia, Maps Glover of DC, Ayana Evans from NYC, Tsedaye Makonnen from DC, Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow of NYC, and Andrew Demirjian of Newark. 

The artists, who must work within the discipline of performance art, are provided housing at The Asbury and funding for their ‘micro-residency’ at the beach. The funding support is made possible by The Andy Warhol and CrossCurrents foundations, the series is supported locally by Monmouth Arts, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, Salt Hotels [and The Asbury] and Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery. 

“This is such a big part of my summer every year,” said Transparent Gallery’s Tina Kerekes about the third annual event. “ What’s being done on the sand at the beach opens my eyes to something different and innovative.” 

The free 7:15 pm Thursday performance art exhibits are approximately 40 minutes in length, Reis said. Participants are encouraged to bring beach towels, blankets and/or chairs. In the event of rain, performances will move to The Asbury lobby, located at 210 Fifth Avenue. Rain location shifts will be called at 5 pm on the performance day. For up to date information follow Siren Arts via Instagram @sirenartsap. For more about the weekly exhibits, visit transformerdc.org.

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