The closing reception for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" will include an artist talk with Kevin Cooley and book signing for his extraordinary new publication "The Wizard of Awe" that will take place on Wednesday, June 4th at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30 for refreshments, and the artist talk will begin upstairs in the mirrored gallery alongside Cooley's photographs.

As many of you may know, Kevin lost his home to the California wildfires this past January. Laney Contemporary is donating proceeds of book sales to the Cooley family.

To preorder your copy please email info@laneycontemporary.com.

Limited copies available. Book retails for $60 (144 pages).

""The Wizard of Awe' chronicles the struggles and resilience of Kenneth Miller, a Minnesota-based fireworks manufacturer, alongside striking images of smoke, fire, and explosions I created under his guidance.

Misunderstood and often vilified by authorities and the media, Miller’s life took a dramatic turn after I published a portfolio of images of him in Popular Science—exposure that led to a raid on his family farm, explosives charges, and a two-year prison sentence.

This book showcases the breathtaking spectacle of Miller’s craft and seeks to humanize a man of integrity, challenging the negative perceptions that have unjustly clouded his legacy. It also honors the profound impact we’ve had on each other through a shared fascination with fire.

Many images from the book also appeared in my 2021 exhibition Exploded Views at Laney Contemporary—a show that would not have been possible without Miller’s collaboration." - Kevin Cooley