The Wizard of Awe. This item is unavailable.The Wizard of Awe

Ken Miller is often referred to on the internet as ‘the smoke guru’. His expertise in manufacturing smoke generators for air shows and other industries has made him a respected pyrotechnicst. However, his journey has been marked by both brilliance and misfortune. Guided by Ken’s knowledge, Kevin Cooley (US) extensively documented his visits to the rural farm, offering a surreal glimpse into Ken’s pyrotechnic world. The story was eventually published as a photo essay in Popular Science. But the publicity proved to be Ken’s undoing, as the article led to an investigation from federal authorities. In the end, Ken was arrested and sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison. The Wizard of Awe is an ode to Ken Miller – a powerful testament to his life’s work as a pyrotechnicst and his subsequent redemption.

Kevin Cooley (1975) is an American artist based in Los Angeles who works across photography, video, and public installations. His work explores humanity’s relationship with the five classical elements – earth, air, fire, water, and aether – using a systems-based approach to examine environmental themes and the impact of technology. He challenges viewers to reflect on the sustainability of modern living and the psychological and practical struggles associated with environmental degradation. Cooley earned his M.F.A. in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His works have been featured in solo exhibitions, including Exploded Views at Laney Contemporary in Savannah, Georgia, and Still Burning at Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles. His public art installations include commissions for the Shay Hotel in Culver City and the California Air Resources Board in Riverside. Cooley’s work is housed in major public collections, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He has been nominated for the Prix Pictet in 2021. His focus on climate change, environmental degradation, and human survival have garnered critical attention, with features in Time Magazine, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and Harper’s Magazine.