Don’t we all have an alter ego? Sometimes it appears as an intrusive inner voice, one that feels both intimately familiar and strangely alien at the same time. It speaks in an inquisitorial dialogue of self-doubt, insecurity, and even self-loathing, often catching us by surprise. Is that voice really… us? How can the self that brought us here, saved us innumerable times, and cares for us when no one else does, also harbour such dark thoughts and feelings toward itself? We are, paradoxically, our own safe space, comfort, and peace — and, at times, our worst enemy. Navigating this deeply human experience lies at the heart of Scotty Ramon’s debut exhibition at Ruttkowski;68, Echoes of the Past, which marks a compelling new chapter for an artist long associated with sound rather than sight.
Scotty Ramon, widely known as Kid Cudi, presents Echoes of the Past as his first-ever solo exhibition in Paris, on view through March 1st. Long before music defined his public persona, Ramon harboured aspirations of becoming a cartoonist while growing up in Ohio, an early impulse that now resurfaces with striking clarity in his visual work. His multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, and sound, yet at its core lies an intimate investigation of the human psyche.
Central to Ramon’s painted works is the recurring figure of Max, an alter ego who moves through saturated landscapes that oscillate between comfort and unease. Max functions as both protagonist and witness: an embodiment of vulnerability, self-sabotage, and hard-won empowerment. Bright, vivid colours contrast sharply with darker psychological terrain, capturing moments of inner conflict alongside the pursuit of an empowered self. The exhibition also expands beyond the visual through immersive sound elements composed specifically for the space. Moving away from lyrical narrative, Ramon employs atmospheric synths and rhythmic pulses to shape a sensory environment that mirrors the emotional cadence of the works on the walls, creating a holistic and deeply introspective experience.
Echoes of the Past ultimately invites viewers to sit with their inner contradictions, offering a resonant meditation on self-confrontation, healing, and creative emergence.
The exhibition Echoes of the Past by Scotty Ramon is on view through March 1st at Ruttkowski;68, 8 Rue Charlot, Paris.
