On Saturday, the Bergamot Station Arts Complex flooded with heavy foot traffic headed straight for Copro Nason Gallery, where strange sea creatures, aliens, robots and mutants anxiously waited on the walls and floor displays. It was opening night for the second installment of Chet Zar’s Conjoined, The Sequel – In 3D exhibit, and the art-hungry masses were fired up.

Conjoined was developed by Zar, a special effects makeup veteran, stemming from the idea that tons of incredible art is being created by effects specialists behind the scenes in the film industry – art that deserves to be admired in the context of a gallery. Last year’s show was a big hit, but the Sequel managed to exceed all expectations, and Chet is thrilled:

“I am really blown away by the success of this year’s Conjoined II show. Last year was so big and amazing that I was a little worried that we wouldn’t be able to top it. But all the artists came through in a really big way and it made the show even better than last year. I am very grateful for everybody giving it their all.”

Just the day before, an unsettling sculpture featured in the show, Beavis and Butthead in Real Life, went viral online [it even made it to CNN] and was surrounded by curious onlookers at the gallery throughout the evening. Complete with braces, acne and beady eyes, the bobble-headed MTV teens were certainly an eerie sight to behold up-close. At least they’re not animatronic!

A number of moving sculptures are included in the show though: a glowing remote-controlled robo-chimp by Meats Meyers, “Cascade” – a shiny metal tentacle by Mark Setrakian and a robotic orchid by Brian Poor.

Bronze, steel, wood, epoxy, taxidermy [and even a tapestry by Tracey Roberts] graced the Santa Monica art space, its walls painted dark grey for the occasion, in a fascinating menagerie of assemblage, sculpture and kitchenware, if you consider Charles Crafft’s “Winehouse” teapot.

Some 2D pieces were on display, as well, including photography by Taslimur and paintings by Chet Zar, Brian Smith and yours truly.

Conjoined 2 runs through February 11th and is an absolute must-see. Be sure to check out the photo gallery below for a brief tour. As for the future, it looks like another hit is already in the works, according to Zar:

“I’ve already spoken to a few artists for next year and from what I hear people are planning to contribute, it’s going to be even bigger and better!”

Words and photos by Zoetica Ebb (@Zoetica)