Solo show at Luis Adelantado Gallery
12.11.2010 - 15.01.2011
“The space of our physics, like the space of our daily lives, is thus a mere construction; an architecture thrown up by perception of the phenomena that surround us and thereby shape, for all of us, this ‘landscape of events’ that makes philosophers and scientists mere humble landscape artists.”
-Paul Virilio, The University of Disaster
We all shall play in the ruinscomprises photography, installation, video and drawing. Informed by Paul Virilio’s take on the speed of post-modern society, Mena seemingly creates a ‘landscape of events’ where motion and velocity translate to both destruction and construction. Throughout the exhibition objects and images suggest movement in various explicit and even subtle ways. A central part of the exhibition is the photographic series Points of View, where Mena uses architecture to challenge the viewer’s perception. By focusing on the malleability of perception, these images not only delineate the fragility of contemporaneity but also the apparent imperceptibility of our urban reality. Letting Go of Conceptual Approaches, a series of abstract monochromatic images, shows the effect of a photochemical reaction of sunlight with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides that has been released into the atmosphere mostly by automotive emissions and industrial plants. A paradoxical image as we find beauty in polluted skyscapes.
Jason Mena’s work entails a multi-faceted approach to contemporaneity that, drawn from conceptualism and minimalism, reveals the complexities and contradictions of the ever increasing urbanization of space. The City and its architecture becomes the main protagonist and consequently witness of the post-modern condition. Reality and fiction converge, they appear and disappear in the urban landscape, provoking multiple reactions and interpretations. Working with different media, mainly photography, video and installations, Mena reacts to his surroundings and eerily reminds us that appearances can ultimately be deceiving. His work leads to a profound criticism of the constant simulation of culture, the speed of urbanization and the accelerated decay of our social and political climate.
http://www.luisadelantadovalencia.com/
Reviews:
Arquitectura Travestida by Rosa Ulpiano
Jason Mena At Luis Adelantado by Carla Acevedo
Las Ruinas Urbanas de Jason Mena by Bel Carrasco
Jason Mena en Luis Adelantado by Miriam Navarro
- January 27, 2011
