Dystopian art in the post-truth era
Blom, Rutger (2019)
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019051810511
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019051810511
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this case study was to analyze critically acclaimed dystopian works from the Information Age, in order to create a loose framework for contemporary dystopian art. Based on this framework, a multimedia installation artwork titled We Will Miss You was developed. This installation was included in the Blind Spot exhibition at Gallery Himmelblau in April 2019.
The film Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio, and the artworks Day Is Done by Mike Kelley and Still Life (Betamale) by Jon Rafman were analyzed, and a variety of articles and literature on relevant topics such as post-internet art was consulted. A number of important connecting factors that appear in most of these works were found. These factors consisted mainly of a heavy reliance on non-fictional footage and direct documentation of real life, a focus on aesthetic beauty in order to captivate the audience, and a focus on changing the perspective or variables in everyday rituals in order to expose underlying systems.
Based on feedback from visitors of We Will Miss You, it appears the artwork was mostly well-received, and promoted a strong sense of discomfort and reflection. This indicates that the concept of a dystopia can still be a very powerful tool that has not lost its relevance in the arts.
The film Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio, and the artworks Day Is Done by Mike Kelley and Still Life (Betamale) by Jon Rafman were analyzed, and a variety of articles and literature on relevant topics such as post-internet art was consulted. A number of important connecting factors that appear in most of these works were found. These factors consisted mainly of a heavy reliance on non-fictional footage and direct documentation of real life, a focus on aesthetic beauty in order to captivate the audience, and a focus on changing the perspective or variables in everyday rituals in order to expose underlying systems.
Based on feedback from visitors of We Will Miss You, it appears the artwork was mostly well-received, and promoted a strong sense of discomfort and reflection. This indicates that the concept of a dystopia can still be a very powerful tool that has not lost its relevance in the arts.