In Troy Lamarr Chew II’s “The Roof is on Fire,” the artist is presenting a suite of new paintings completed using augmented reality enhancements. Chew’s debut solo presentation at Altman Siegel, the show continues the artist’s Slanguage series, which explores the language and wordplay of rap lyrics through playful and symbolic visuals. On view, Chew’s has employed his own recreations of familiar animated characters to allude to popular fad dances. Accompanying works like a scene with Bart Simpson pushing a shopping cart of mashed potatoes, or Sponge Bob with a mop and a whip, the artist has also crafted a digital aspect inviting viewers to download an app, where they can experience an augmented reality that includes Chews friends and family performing the dances in question atop the corresponding paintings.
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