A Contemporary Virtual Exhibit

Art has often been used to express social criticisms; concerning war and the importance/influences of tradition and many other social aspects. In more recent years social criticisms have come to focus on the development of a corporate society and advances in technology; the extent to which corporations, technology and money influence society have been the subject matter of many artists’ works. These criticisms have been expressed through various forms of artistic medium and can be quite paradoxical–intentionally.

Repo: The Genetic Opera is a twist on several classical styles. It was written and composed by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. The film adaptation incorporates aspects of opera, drama, musical, graphic novel and theatre. The core theme of this modern Goth chic piece is the concept of captivity and longing for freedom. The story follows the lives of several individuals who all experience captivity to some degree and who represent the greater captivity of society to the ominous Gene Co.—a company previously praised for saving humanity after a devastating organ failure epidemic. All the characters are linked to Gene Co. and all of their misfortunes can be linked to the company’s founder. Repo examines the influences massive corporations have on society, from the effects they have on government policy, social norms and even the concepts of aesthetics. Ultimately in Repo the world is at the mercy of this major corporation which dictates all aspects of everyday life and even has the legal authority to kill (Repo men are essentially legal assassins that reclaim organs for the company). The piece invites the audience to examine this hyperbolized reality and to think critically about the current state of affairs. I personally adore this work! The music is brilliant (Sarah Brightman is fabulous in this film), the story is exciting and critical and the visuals are absolutely stunning. The piece in general is very witty and cynical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPq17mVbauw
Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich Repo: The Genetic Opera (2008)

Gerald Laing was a well known Pop Artist in the 1960s and is now reviving the style in response to the war in Iraq. His piece Repetition, which resides in the Sims Reed Gallery, depicts Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell’s soup can image above a field of soldiers. His piece criticizes the capitalistic nature of modern war which views soldiers as assets or commodities as opposed to living individuals.

Gerald Laing Repetition (2005)

Mika is a pop artist known for his extraordinary vocal range. Several of his songs are criticisms of current social trends. “Grace Kelly” is a criticism of the music industry which commonly requires artists to “reinvent” themselves. This results in an identity crafted by the music industry and doesn’t actually portray the artists beliefs/ideas/etc. In this song Mika challenges the conflict between industry and personal identity and encourages the audience to think about the influence such industries have on us in regards to personal thought. Similarly, Mika’s song “Big Girl (You are Beautiful)” challenges the common social perception that glamorizes skinniness. Mika’s music is both thought provoking and easy to listen to. His vocal range is quite impressive and his personal style of blending classical rock and pop music is ingenious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxDRWiyMbU
Mika “Grace Kelly” (2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89GB7z_Ogt0&feature=channel
Mika “Big Girl (You are Beautiful)” (2007)

BioArt is a very new style of art combining scientific methodology with artistic representation. It is generally restricted to living creations/manipulations, but can include non-animate subjects. It tends to question the extent to which our society manipulates the living world around us and the ethics of such actions.

Eduardo Kac is a world famous Bio-artist who works mostly with genetics and biotechnology. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he now lives in Chicago. One of Kac’s most fascinating pieces is entitled Time Capsule. For this piece Kac had a microchip implanted in ankle—the part of the body commonly branded on slaves. This work was meant to encourage people to consider the affiliation they have with technology. Another work which encourages such personal reflection is entitled Teleporting an Unknown State and consists of a plant grown in a dark room with light that has been channeled around the globe through the internet.

Eduardo Kac Teleporting an Unknown State (1994/1996)

Eduardo Kac Time Capsule (1997)

References:

http://www.ekac.org/teleporting.html

http://gallery.simsreed.com/artists/laing/index.php?stkID=1449

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/laing-revives-pop-art-as-weapon-against-war-in-iraq-403664.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio_art

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Kac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly_(song)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repo_the_genetic_opera

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