​Sheer Loon-acy

Mackenzie Kouba could be referred to as a hometown hero. She was born and raised in the area and claims to have been embellishing her world since cognizance. Once she received her baccalaureate degree at NDSU in 2009 she moved into the Roberts Street Studio, where she produced work and assisted in curating exhibits in the attached space, The Upfront Gallery. She has a community-forward approach, whether it be through art or social change.

In 2010 she was voted best emerging visual artist in HPR’s Best Bets. In recent years she worked as a full time shop foreman in a window replacement company. Here she familiarized herself with the tools and materials to create more three dimensional work. We had a moment to catch up with Mackenzie and chat about her upcoming exhibition at The Rourke.

HPR: Are you taking more steps toward creating more three-dimensional work?

MK: In the past three and a half years, likely a result of a full time job in the construction sector, the vast majority of what I produced was 3-D. A lot of it was investigating materials and tools through furniture refinishing/refiguring, stripping, staining, or adding animatronic bear legs to a series of projects. It was partially out of necessity, as a way to learn the materials for my job, and partly as a side effect of my job.

I developed some considerable carpal tunnel syndrome, that complicated painting; but have since lost that job and the vast majority of those projects in an unfortunate series of events. But I retained a new developed perspective about objects and materials. I find objects very informative, especially older objects and their parts; 3-D works included in this show are made of parts from a piano, cash register, garage door, ashtray stand; objects in the 2-D work include school desks, a church pew and some hard-to-explain parts from a North Dakota missile silo. All of these parts are meant to add another facet to an idea or perspective that I am addressing or trying to communicate in the work.

HPR: There seem to be some common themes. The loon has obviously been a theme, hence the name. It has popped up in various projects, including Sticks Garden and the lawn loons that you have been creating. Can you tell us more?

MK: Loons have been a present element and symbol in my life as far back as I remember. Growing up running around the lakes area, they became part of the wallpaper. In 2010, while reacting to the almost criminal conduct of former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, I investigated the cultural symbolism that is associated with the Common Loon, Minnesota’s state bird.

The first depiction of them is in “When Your State Deals You Lemons”, a harshly sarcastic image meant to remind the viewer (and if by miracle, Tim Pawlenty) the importance of continuing state support for those in the state who very desperately need it because otherwise, desperation brings out the worst in everything and everyone.

The second Looning was sticksgarden and meant with similar weight. Loons are dependent on water for life, for food, for flight. We like to downplay or back-burner similar crucial dependence, but if we really want to be progressive in our region and community, we should start developing habits of preservation and conservation, be the stoic keepers and stewards of our spaces and their members to ensure longevity.

The third Looning is actually a thirty-year throw back. In the 1980’s Joel Hegerle had a “Loon Environment” installation in a Rourke Midwestern that included lawn flamingos painted as Loons: Loomingos. I heard the story of Joel’s Loons at our friend Dwight Williams funeral; 2015 for many of us, was a year of goodbye; it seemed like the whole year was spent saying it. Loons symbolize a variety of things across cultures; many Native American and indigenous cultures associate Loons with a worldly presence and voice of past souls, as well as a strong association with depths of consciousness and dreams.

I handle death poorly; after the combination of saying goodbye to so many, and additional stressors to my reality, I found myself grappling with some significant depression. My dear friend Meg “Megatron” Roberts shared with me -- more than a few years ago -- how she personally overcame her personal experience with depression; she directed her energy and effort into brightening life for others, others who might need more than most, the feeling that someone cares for them; we know it now as “Plants for Patience”.

I created thirty Loomingos to deposit in yards without the “lawn lord’s” knowledge; spreading Loitering Loomingos among people who I have laughed, cried, mourned, celebrated and experienced life with, who may not realize how deeply they are cherished and appreciated. I ran out of Loons and time to do this venture justice; our community has a surplus of amazing humans. It was a simple, purely silly gesture that inspired many smiles and pulled me out of a very dark place.

The Loomingo project will be explained at the Rourke, and if those whose yards were Loon-bombed make a donation for their Loomingo, it will be split between the Rourke and the Gladys Ray shelter in Fargo, N.D. The staff and guests of The Gladys Ray can and do teach all of us a great deal about humanity. Our community is at a point in its evolution at which we can either voice what we value, campaign for the inclusion of art into our cities’ master plans, or remain silent and complacent, accepting what certain “Tony’s” think is more than plenty of community art. Frankly, I think this particularly loud city commission voice is grossly ignorant, misinformed, or instead perhaps, well informed on self-serving or friend-serving principles.

HPR: A little bird told us that steps were being taken to mass produce the lawn loons. How is that going? Have you made any headway? And what kind of a reaction are they generating?

MK: My super ninja well-versed-in-things-business associate has been in contact with different manufacturers and exploring the possibilities of mass production; additional lawn imposter designs have been developed and more are currently in the works. Reactions have been really positive and in some ways, rather surprising; ironically, most people have expressed that they would like a flock of the predominantly solitary bird.

HPR:The exhibit at the Rourke is titled, "Escape to the Looney Bin", How do you think madness has become the new normal?

MK: THE CURRENT ELECTION… Our society has become pretty jaded; a party frontrunner in a American presidential election is running primarily on hate and ignorance. That’s pretty f***** up.

IF YOU GO:

Mackenzie Kouba’s “Escape to the Looney Bin” opening exhibit

Sunday, March 6, 1-5 p.m.

The Rourke Art Museum 521 Main Ave., Moorhead, MN