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This month we meet artist Marissa Sean Cruz, a digital multimedia and video performance artist from Kjipuktuk (so-called Halifax).
They were nominated by Chloe Lundrigan of the AGO Youth Advisory. "I’ve been a fan of Riss Sean Cruz’ since seeing their work presented in Fruit Salad in 2019. The pop culture references are what initially drew me to their work – many elements of their videos take digital conventions from hyper-specific generational sources that are tough to find in contemporary art, everything from that iconic coming of age movie score placement to early-YouTube narrative structures. Despite how sophisticated these remixes are, the work somehow balances not taking itself so seriously―through morphing campy details, elaborate product placements, and eerily beautiful body extensions―while not-so-subtly incorporating heavy existentialism. Riss takes the duplicity of what it feels like to be a young adult in this moment, and shapes it into a totally uncanny experience: it’s daily and otherworldly and just so much, but crank every element up further – the ennui, the wit, and above all, the vibrancy. "
