How is the human body depicted in artistic form into the 21st century, when greater humanistic sensitivities face quickly evolving technologies? Refiguring the Human Figure is a series of two exhibitions that brings together a diverse group of artworks to push the depiction of the human form to its conceptual limits. In contrast to the tradition of presenting idealized bodies and portraits of the powerful and heroic, these sculptures, paintings, photographs, and videos create a context that reassesses the human figure in artistic form, attempting to present a more objective and inclusive perspective.
The exhibition begins by deconstructing the figure and further unfolds by reconstructing it, creating interactive gallery spaces. Bodily surrogates, in the form of empty chairs, beds, and platforms, as well as various mirrors, invite the individual viewer to animate these rooms with their imagination and, at times, to activate the works physically. Each of us gets to be part of the answer to the question, “Who gets to be placed on a pedestal and who is worthy of being the subject of artistic inspiration?” Perhaps it can even be our very selves as we reflect on it, both literally and metaphorically. In an age swiftly leading us towards a virtual existence, these are poignant reminders that the physical human experience is fragile and unique, and therefore worth protecting and celebrating.
“Maybe we look into mirrors not merely to seek beauty, regardless how elusive, but to make sure, despite the facts, that we are still here. That the hunted body that we move in has not yet been annihilated, scraped out.” – Ocean Vuong, ‘On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous’
PART ONE
The Other Protagonist of the Night
September 2027 – July 2028
PART TWO
The Close
September 2028 – July 2029