I decided to visit Sebastian Wittig's ShiningCity exhibition for this weeks review. It was a lot different than most exhibitions I've seen in the Harry Wood Gallery and it deals with propaganda that is being used as distractions to cover up social issues that go on in the world. It is set up just like a convenient store with items for sale. Each item represents a "distraction" and the price is a date related to that social issue. I grabbed a product guide that explained every product in the store. For example, one of the products was called MeXoBlamin. The product guide description states:
"We are in the news with one of the biggest distractions of the year. When an unelected governor has no track-record and stands for election, there's an easy way out: it's the Mexican's fault, those illegal invaders who take our jobs, steal our stuff, and... mow our lawns.
The amount of verbiage that we were bombarded with was amazing. Illegal Canadians were to be targeted as well, we were told. Navajos, on the other hand, were exempt.
The governor was elected. For the first time."
I just saw this exhibit today...it had an interesting over all sense of humor! Did you happen to notice the television through the wall playing the video? This was a great exhibit to visit for this blog...everything was tangible and could be physically picked up, turned over, and interpreted.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting exhibition to go see. It definitely does sound a lot different than any other shows I've heard about. I might stop by there if I have time. Based on what you said, it seems like there is a comedic, yet underlying seriousness, to the meanings and messages behind the works in the show, which I like. In my opinion, I think it's true that propoganda does distract us from social issues. Overall, it seems like it's a show that can be seen in many different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a bit about this exhibit, and it seems really interesting! Anything relating to politics usually just gives me a huge headache, but this looks like it would be both fun and informative at the same time, and I'm curious to know what other kinds of objects are "for sale" there.
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