The Possibility of an Island
04 Dec 2008 - 21 Mar 2009
© Mungo Thomson
Negative Space (STCI-PRC 2007 - 16a) detail), 2007
courtesy of the artist and John Connelly Presents, New York
Negative Space (STCI-PRC 2007 - 16a) detail), 2007
courtesy of the artist and John Connelly Presents, New York
THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND
ON VIEW : December 4 – March 21
OPENING RECEPTION: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 9am - NOON
Featuring a group of international artists working in a variety of media, the exhibition explores the poetic and philosophical sides of science fiction literature. These artists approach science fiction as a genre that provides diversion from the banality of everyday life, making our current dreams and anxieties more spectacular. The Possibility of an Island examines fantasies for the future, which reveal desires to escape pressing social and political concerns. Covering themes from habitation and technology to fear and hope,the exhibition illustrates the present time through extraordinary treatments of the past, present, and future.
Heman Chong’s Time Out (Eurasia) (2008),makes both a humorous and ominous point about globalization by referencing the popular tourist guide, Time Out, and replacing city or country names with the overarching term, “Eurasia.” Rather than seeing a recognizable cityscape, viewers are confronted with an ambiguous image on the cover. Julika Rudelius tackles anxieties about aging in her work Forever (2007), which features a group of wealthy women discussing their hopes and fears about their lives and physical condition as they age. Peter Coffin exhibits works that enact metaphysical wonders with common materials. Chris Kraus’s Gravity and Grace (1995), is a feature-length film that addresses such topics as cults, alien life, and artistic pursuits. A large wall mural of an inverted image outer space is featured as part of Mungo Thomson’s ongoing Negative Space series. Projects such as Philip (2006), a collaborative science-fiction novel written by eight artists under severe time constraints, are included in the exhibition.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Cory Arcangel; Davide Balula; Tobias Bernstrup; Heman Chong; Peter Coffin; Matias Faldbakken; Cao Fei; Kim Fisher; Claire Fontaine; K48; Chris Kraus; Cristina Lei Rodriguez; Nicolas Lobo; Martin Oppel; Philip (a novel written by Mark Aerial Waller, Heman Chong, Cosmin Costinas, Rosemary Heather, Leif Magne Tangen, Francis McKee, David Reinfurt, and Steve Rushton); Lisi Raskin; Julika Rudelius; and Mungo Thomson.
The Possibility of an Island is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami and is curated by Ruba Katrib, MOCA assistant curator.
The exhibition is sponsored in part by the James S. and John L. Knight Foundation and is part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Knight Exhibition Series.
ON VIEW : December 4 – March 21
OPENING RECEPTION: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 9am - NOON
Featuring a group of international artists working in a variety of media, the exhibition explores the poetic and philosophical sides of science fiction literature. These artists approach science fiction as a genre that provides diversion from the banality of everyday life, making our current dreams and anxieties more spectacular. The Possibility of an Island examines fantasies for the future, which reveal desires to escape pressing social and political concerns. Covering themes from habitation and technology to fear and hope,the exhibition illustrates the present time through extraordinary treatments of the past, present, and future.
Heman Chong’s Time Out (Eurasia) (2008),makes both a humorous and ominous point about globalization by referencing the popular tourist guide, Time Out, and replacing city or country names with the overarching term, “Eurasia.” Rather than seeing a recognizable cityscape, viewers are confronted with an ambiguous image on the cover. Julika Rudelius tackles anxieties about aging in her work Forever (2007), which features a group of wealthy women discussing their hopes and fears about their lives and physical condition as they age. Peter Coffin exhibits works that enact metaphysical wonders with common materials. Chris Kraus’s Gravity and Grace (1995), is a feature-length film that addresses such topics as cults, alien life, and artistic pursuits. A large wall mural of an inverted image outer space is featured as part of Mungo Thomson’s ongoing Negative Space series. Projects such as Philip (2006), a collaborative science-fiction novel written by eight artists under severe time constraints, are included in the exhibition.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Cory Arcangel; Davide Balula; Tobias Bernstrup; Heman Chong; Peter Coffin; Matias Faldbakken; Cao Fei; Kim Fisher; Claire Fontaine; K48; Chris Kraus; Cristina Lei Rodriguez; Nicolas Lobo; Martin Oppel; Philip (a novel written by Mark Aerial Waller, Heman Chong, Cosmin Costinas, Rosemary Heather, Leif Magne Tangen, Francis McKee, David Reinfurt, and Steve Rushton); Lisi Raskin; Julika Rudelius; and Mungo Thomson.
The Possibility of an Island is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami and is curated by Ruba Katrib, MOCA assistant curator.
The exhibition is sponsored in part by the James S. and John L. Knight Foundation and is part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Knight Exhibition Series.