Alien Invasion

Kurt Novak, a Detroit native now based in the Bronx, has been creating art for over 40 years. His multidisciplinary practice spans installations, sound projects, sculpture, and, most recently, scanner-based photography. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally.

His latest project, Alien Invasion, is a site-specific installation that will take shape at Art-Up in the week leading up to its opening. Using humble materials—newsprint, tempera paint, and masking tape—it also features a self-recorded soundtrack.

Novak’s work, often outwardly simple and approachable, carries a disarming humor. Yet beneath the playful premise of a “Martian invasion in Margaretville” lies a thoughtful engagement with current events and a deeper philosophical inquiry into the origins of life.

When asked about working across multiple mediums, Novak describes his approach as built from “spirit and spit.” He embraces whatever materials are within reach, valuing raw expression over technical precision. His art thrives on immediacy and vitality—deliberately rough, raw, and expressionistic—drawing viewers in and challenging them to find their own meaning within the work.