While millions of people know Serj Tankian as the vocalist for the award-winning metal band System of a Down, the musician has been using the paintbrush to showcase art in a different medium. For over a decade, the artist has shown off various artwork in California and New Zealand.

Last Friday, Tankian held a special private VIP preview event to check out their new art exhibition called The Lost Technique at their Kavat Café & Eye For Sound Gallery, which had its grand opening back in June. The Lost Technique brings something new to the typical art exhibition with the addition of sound; each painting on display has its own accompanying music composed by Tankian. This was inspired by the late Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, who managed to blend the worlds of music and art through the power of synesthesia.

Some of the pieces on display are older pieces Tankian showcased at previous exhibitions. One standout piece was 2021's Violent Violins, which showcases a bleeding violin stabbed with its bow. This can be interpreted in various ways, including the decline of classical instruments in modern music today or the decline of instruments in general in the Top 40. Music Is A Doorway To The Truth, which was finished in 2019, is a painting of various blocks with messages such as "Best Music = Silence" and "Life Is A Fine Line Between Ironies."

The musician also delivered several newer pieces composed over the past year. While the other pieces are painted on a typical art canvas, Music Is Freedom finds the artist transforming a cello into a powerful message. Painted in black and red, the cello's fingerboard has "Music is freedom, period" painted along it. Pain is one of the most simplistic yet powerful pieces on display as the piece has the word "Pain" brushed upon a light red background.

The Lost Technique runs through September 28 at Kavat Café & Eye For Sound Gallery, which is located on 1638 Colorado Blvd. Whether you're a fan of Tankian's previous work or you're simply looking for a unique art exhibition, The Lost Technique is both a captivating visual and auditory experience. More information about the venue can be found here. More information about Tankian's artwork can be found on their website here.

One day before the exhibition closes (September 27), Tankian will release their new solo EP Foundations on Gibson Records. Pre-orders for the five-song release can be made here. This follows Tankian's 2021 EP Elasticity.