Mia Conley’s eye (and ear) catching piece "Circo Animae" in the Arvada Center Galleries pARTy exhibition is an immersive exploration into the absurd and colorful world of the clown. We spoke to this up-and-coming artist about how the idea of her piece grew from ceramics clowns into a multi-sensory kaleidoscope of wonder, what clowns can teach us about ourselves, and how to embrace your inner clown in your regular life. Come check out Circo Animae in the pARTy exhibition in our Main Gallery through November 8. 

Q: Your immersive "Circo Animae" piece really stands out in the pARTy exhibition! Can you give us the background of this piece?

A: The origins of this piece can really only be described as a psychedelic rabbit hole that began out in the Florida swamps at a Supersillyus show, and evolved into an obsession with the imagery of clowns. I was so moved by the experience I had dancing to this psychedelic clown music that it inspired a deep dive into the social and spiritual history of clowns. I learned that clowns, in some form or another, have emerged in every human society from the beginning of our documented history. 

The archetype of the clown, therefore, is a foundational building block to understanding ourselves in relation to social structures. They serve ritual functions in inverting expectations, hierarchies, and create a reflection that allows us to see the absurd in all the norms we take for granted. The Clown invites us to look at all the parts of ourselves that polite society rejects, and dance with them proudly. They are guides towards authenticity. 

Q: When did your love for clowns begin?

A: My love for clowns is really a love for all things absurd, but I found that the clown is a particularly effective vehicle for entering the realm of the absurd, and inviting people to come with you. 

I loved clowns from the first moment I put on the white greasepaint. There is a funny paradox in the way that wearing a physical mask actually gives you permission to take down your metaphorical ones. The realm of the clown is one where everything goes, polite social norms are out the window, and the stranger you let yourself be, the more celebrated you feel. It’s an excellent exercise I recommend for anyone dealing with social anxiety, or just soul-searching. See who you let yourself become when you aren’t so worried about embarrassing yourself. 

Q: You had an incredible clown look at the opening party. How do clowns inspire your day-to-day life?

A: The beautiful thing about experimenting with clowning is that you realize you don’t actually need the makeup to get that same sense of freedom, and it unlocks a part of you that you can then always access. The clown has inspired a mantra of authenticity and absurdity that I try and embody whenever I can. 

Q: We loved the zine you created to go with the piece, as well as the music that accompanies "Circo Animae". Can you tell us more about why you chose to make this a multi-sensory experience?

A: Creating "Circo Animae" was a process that spanned about two years, and over that time, the layers of "Circo Animae" really just kept developing naturally. It began with the ceramic clowns, and I loved them, but I felt that on their own, they lacked context, and that would make it harder for a viewer to connect with the deeper layers I wanted to convey. Then one day on my way to the studio, the idea of a stop motion film dropped like a Looney Tunes anvil on my head! I’d never done any kind of claymation or filmmaking before, but I felt like the narrative quality would bring the depth and storytelling that the ceramics just weren’t serving on their own. 

Then the film opened all these doors for this meta experience to happen where I could create an immersive installation that put the viewer into the climax of the movie - the dance scene in the circus tent. On top of all of that I am blessed with an amazing musical partner who created the score for the film. Really I just had so many thoughts on clowns that I wanted to share, that I put them in any form I could get someone to look at!

Q: Where do you hope to see your career in the arts grow?

A: I’d love to keep building worlds and installations. There is nothing so satisfying as having a vision and just figuring out every step along the way to bring it to life. I’m really excited about a few new ideas in the works for claymation as well. In the age of AI I am feeling even more motivated to make tedious things with my hands.

Q: Any advice for young artists that are looking to make it into a gallery?

A: I think first and foremost, just keep making what you want to make. Worry about the audience second. Then once you’ve made the thing, be as obnoxious as you possibly can about putting it in front of people. 

Music of "Circo Animae" created by Battlenalysis 

Mia Conley Instagram: @thefoolsthesis.art