The Wizard of Awe chronicles the extraordinary life and work of Kenneth Miller, a Minnesota-based fireworks manufacturer whose pyrotechnic brilliance was tragically overshadowed by a series of personal and professional challenges. Miller’s story gained notoriety after photographer Kevin Cooley published a portfolio of images of him in Popular Science Magazine. What followed was a shocking raid on his family farm, federal explosives charges, and a two-year prison sentence. This project aims to humanize a misunderstood figure and reclaim the narrative around one of America’s last fireworks makers.

A multidisciplinary exhibition will be held in DTLA at THESE DAYS gallery.

JANUARY 11TH-FEBRUARY 1ST 2025

Through large-scale photographs and a two-channel video projection, the exhibition at THESE DAYS explores Miller’s life before his legal troubles—a period of unrestrained pyrotechnic experimentation. Smoke, fire, and explosions capture the raw energy of his craft, which are juxtaposed against an overwhelming display of forensic evidence photographs cataloged by federal agents during a search and seizure operation at both his home and nearby laboratory. This compelling visual contrast reveals the stark reality of Miller’s living and working conditions while delving into the psyche of a man who struggled to eke out a living in an industry that moved overseas decades ago.