One of our favorite animated GIFs by Jonathan Monaghan, and as it happens, the lead image for our animated GIF show at GRIN gallery in providence. The show launches June 4 at 6 PM. Join us!
The press release below!
GEOGRAPHICALLY INDETERMINATE FANTASIES: THE ANIMATED GIF AS PLACE
Jonathan Monaghan, Escape Pod, 2016, series of 11 animated GIFs from computer animated HD film “Escape Pod” Commissioned by Providence College—Galleries.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Lindsey Stapleton at 401-272-0796 or contact@grinprovidence.com for more information
CURATED BY ART F CITY CRITICS
MICHAEL ANTHONY FARLEY, PADDY JOHNSON + REA MCNAMARA
JUNE 4 – JULY 2, 2016
RECEPTION: JUNE 4, 6-10PM
MAY 12 2016
– In conjunction with Providence College—Galleries’ inaugural online exhibition, we are pleased to announce . . Guest curated by critics from the renowned arts blog Art F City , this IRL component will feature a selection of the 25 artists who use animated GIFs to present fully-realized environments. This exhibition serves as both a vision of artists’ new
worlds, and as a document of our own reality’s aspirations and anxieties. The show tracks a number of themes: the city as a network of personal and social spaces, the personification of the landscape as avatar, the browser or more broadly, the digital as space, and the ubiquitous battlefield. The artists assembled use a variety of techniques to address these subjects ranging from 3D rendered work to collage and video-sourced GIFs.
Additionally, Providence College—Galleries, under the advisement of Art F City, commissioned new works for the occasion, all by established artists working in the field—Jonathan Monaghan, Giselle Zatonyl, Brenna Murphy and Clement Valla present landscape GIFs, while artist and writer Claire Evans presents a related reading list.
Brenna Murphy, Area Transduce 6, 2015, animated GIF
This event is co-sponsored by Art F City, GRIN and Providence College —Galleries with generous support by Electric Art Objects and Providence College’s School of Art and Sciences. Artists include Peter Burr, Petra Cortright, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Elektra KB, Claire Evans, Victoria Fu, Faith Holland, Dina Kelberman, Kidmograph (Gustavo Torres), Sara Ludy, Lauren Pelc-McArthur, Alex McLeod, Ying Miao, Jonathan Monaghan, Hugo Moreno, Brenna Murphy, Eva Papamargariti, Robby Rackleff, Sam Rolfes, Nicolas Sassoon, Jacolby Satterwhite, Hito Steyerl and Nicolas Linnert, Małgosia Woźnica
(V5MT), Wickerham & Lomax, Clement Valla and Giselle Zatonyl.
This increased interest in creating new worlds can be linked to a rise in freely available rendering software; it is now easier than ever not only to imagine new worlds, but to also build them online. It is difficult, however, not to also see this approach through the lens of the generational anxieties of their makers: Powerlessness in the face of climate change, a nearly-nomadic lifestyle as a result of gentrification, and the ever-accelerating changes in natural and built environments. As always, art addresses the world around us, and ultimately reflects the challenges and opportunities inherent in artists’ responses.
Though Geographically Indeterminate Fantasies is an online exhibition commissioned and built to be experienced via web browser, and more specifically for the PC–G website, GRIN is pleased to present an “In Real Life” component of the exhibition. Partnering with Art F City and PC–G, GRIN will present a month-long installation of a selection of the online exhibition’s GIFs within GRIN’s white-cube gallery space.
The public reception on June 4th, which celebrates the exhibition in both its online and IRL forms, coincides with the opening weekend of PVDFEST and GRIN’s three year anniversary and additionally includes a one-night only outdoor installation. The IRL version of the show is curated by Michael Anthony Farley and Paddy Johnson.
ART F CITY
Art F City creates and archives critical discourse, and commissions ambitious artist projects. Through a daily mix of blunt criticism, commentary and community-minded journalism, we add an unparalleled dosage of purposeful opinion to the contemporary art community.
Art is without a public purpose if it is not tested and understood. To this end, Art F City provides a moderated public forum across comment threads, artist essays, and roundtable criticism. Our nine-year archives provide an extensive historical record of that discourse.
By encouraging a critical and informed audience, our public initiatives fill a critical need for all creative makers.
Art must be interrogated.
artfcity.com
PROVIDENCE COLLEGE GALLERIES
Providence College Galleries present exhibitions and public programs focusing on contemporary art, innovative artistic practice and interdisciplinary cultural activity. Operating within two gallery spaces as part of the Department of Art & Art History, PC–G supports the liberal arts and community-oriented mission of the College with dynamic visual arts productions, including those that foster audience participation, cross-departmental collaboration at the College and cultural exchange at local, national and international levels. PC–G ultimately strives to produce projects which demonstrate how and why creative practitioners are vital forces in promoting diversity and shaping contemporary global culture.
Major support for (the online exhibition) is provided by the Art & Art History Department at Providence College, with additional support from the ADDD Fund administered by the Rhode Island Foundation. pcgalleries.providence.edu
GRIN is a contemporary art gallery located at The Plant in the historic Olneyville District of Providence, Rhode Island. Directed by Corey Oberlander and Lindsey Stapleton, GRIN was founded in 2013 as a space for artists to develop and exhibit their work, with a steady curatorial hand. Our intent is to develop an intellectually demanding yet aesthetically pleasing program, focusing on emerging artists working across mediums. Our hope is to stimulate fresh dialogue while continuing to promote the development of the local creative community. Our mission is to support the careers of underexposed artists with a devotion to process and conceptual advancement.
60 Valley Street, Unit 3 Providence, RI 02909
grinprovidence.com
e. contact (at) grinprovidence (dot) com
p. 401 272 0796
Open Saturdays 12PM – 5PM, by announcement, appointment and chance.
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