Bubi Canal Makes Art with Geometry

There’s a lot of geometry going around right now: the chevron craze, an oval ottoman in every shop. But no one’s using geometry like New York-based artist and designer Bubi Canal. His first solo show in New York, titled “Special Moment,” opens today at Munch Gallery.

Spanish-born Canal has created a world unto himself, full of totemic objects in flat, primary colors that are exchanged between human-animal hybrids and bearded men in marching band uniforms. It’s a world of Michael Jackson and Furby and Colorforms—as kawaii as Murakami but without the consumer cynicism.

The exhibition’s sculpture, photography, and video work all share Canal’s trademark over-saturated color, but range in tone from fashion iconography bold enough for Grace Jones to slightly terrifying puppet heads. Best of all are the titular photos of mysterious, shrouded creatures, part club kid and part Memphis overload.

Much of the work is created in collaboration with Madrid-based designer Chaumen, but it feels part of a singular vision. “This show is my personal view of the world and the world I would like to live in,” Canal says. “It’s about love, magic, hope, and making your dreams come true.”