Evelyn Kleis’s assemblage sculptures conjure questions about cosmic existence. In reference to her practice, Kleis has said “[as humans] the mystery of what we know is real, and what we believe might be real or other worldly, is ongoing and unknowable.”

A self-proclaimed “omnivorous collector,” Kleis gives new life to found objects. In her artworks, items from pop culture, board games and spiritual traditions are assembled into fantastical realms. The Divine Comedy, one of the world’s greatest works of literature which explores the afterlife in three parts — Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise — has been a major influence on this body of work. For this exhibition, Kleis’s work has been thematically grouped to match the three parts of The Divine Comedy: Inferno, where things have gone awry; Purgatory, a state of in-between; and Paradise, where life is safe, controlled and peaceful.

Cosmic Curiosities presents a notion of the universe as a weird and whimsical place that we can rejoice in even though we don’t fully understand it. The work is a lighthearted invitation to stay continually curious about the visible and unknowable worlds around us.

The Tumbleweed Project Space is located in the four glass display cases along the Esplanade’s exterior façade (2nd St and 4th Ave) and will be visible to the public from street level year round. The inaugural exhibition, Cosmic Curiosities by local artist Evelyn Kleis, is ready TODAY, just in time for the long weekend! Walking or driving, day or night, come experience local art in the heart of Downtown!