Exploring the wider effects of over-consumption, media stimulation and emotional disconnection, the artworks presented in the 2018 edition of the听Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition听(18 May 鈥 30 September, York Art Gallery)听call into question new modes of communication, offering reflection upon the era of post-truth, where human autonomy can be reduced to calculable, predictable patterns of behaviour.
The shortlisted artists for 2018 include:听David Birkin (USA); Electra Lyhne-Gold (UK); Fabio Lattanzi Antinori (UK); Jiayu Liu (UK); Jukhee Kwon (Italy); Kenji Ouellet (Germany); Laura Woodward (Australia); Lisa Chang Lee (UK); No茅mi Varga (UK); Peter Davis (UK); Reginald Van de Velde (Belgium); Shauna Frischkorn (USA).听
A key concept in this year鈥檚 shortlisted works is technology; Jiayu Liu鈥檚听Ocean Wave听questions how far digital worlds are encroaching upon organic landscapes. With environmental damage happening at an unprecedented rate, and global warming showing no signs of ending, Liu鈥檚 work invites audiences to reflect upon our role as human beings and our emotional responses to the planet. Following the same theme is听Lisa Chang Lee鈥檚 responsive installation听Laughter Project听exaggerates and copies audiences鈥 reactions to reflect upon the overwhelming desire to belong in today鈥檚 society.
Considering the notion of human autonomy is听Fabio Lattanzi Antinori鈥檚听Fortune Tellers,听an interactive sculpture that charts 10 years of data from the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The piece considers how global financial systems control much of our lives. Similarly,听Electra Lyhne-Gold鈥檚听Lost in Translation听is a video performance that utilises humour to usurp capitalism, undermining advertisement culture through mimicry and imitation.听
听Running concurrently with the opening of the exhibition is the听Future Now Symposium (17-18 May, York St John University),听a dynamic two-day event that听provides an imaginative platform for attendees to consider the arts ecosystem within a broader social, political and professional context. Holding talent development at its core, this two-day event is a hive of innovation and idea generation.听Symposium passes provide a free ticket into the Private View for the Aesthetica Art Prize, 17 May at York Art Gallery.
Topics for 2018 include:
- The Value of Design
- Arts Journalism in the Digital Age
- How To Get Ahead as an Emerging Artist
- An Examination of Post-Truth
- Risk Taking in Curation and Diversity in the Art World
听A range of delegates from the UK鈥檚 leading arts organisations are in attendance including听Tate, V&A, Frieze,听BALTIC, Open Eye Gallery, PHOTOFAIRS, Royal College of Art, Serpentine, Thames & Hudson and听The Times.
As Cherie Federico, Director, notes: 鈥Every year, this Prize becomes more ambitious and the works submitted and selected are becoming more dynamic, evoking a range of emotions from despair to hopefulness for a future world where society is more harmonious. Similarly, the events taking place at the Future Now Symposium across the two days are vital to stimulate discussion and generate new ideas in response to the current trends taking place.鈥澨
For more information or to book your tickets for.
The Aesthetica Art Prize Symposium runs 18 May – 30 September. e. The 2019 edition is open for entires until 31 August.
Credits:
1. Shauna Frischkorn, Mcworkers.
