Auto-Destruct is a group exhibition of works relating to and reflecting upon the nature of our aspirational technological inventions and the destructive nature they become. Many of the works regard the automobile as the device that was seen as liberation, independence a revolution for mankind, that has in fact led to wars, contributed to climate change and is responsible for over 3000 deaths a day. The ubiquitous vehicle is unscrutinised for its monstrous reality and current car branding still sells a lifestyle as a symbol of wealth & glamour and independence.
The exhibition’s title ‘Auto-Destruct’ is inspired by the work of Gustav Metzger. Metzger’s career was about alerting us to the risks in our deluded pursuit of technological progress, and of humans being eclipsed by their machine selves. Auto-destructive art was inherently political; also carrying anti-capitalist and anti-consumerist messages. It addressed society’s unhealthy fascination with destruction, as well as the negative impact of machinery on our existence. The exhibition examines themes of our fascination and capacity to be seduced by world-changing inventions and technologies that may or may not lead to improvements. The duality of any inventions capacity to create benefit or hazard is only proven in the dynamic, perhaps in the age of all available, all the time information we may have come to a time we can achieve wisdom in advance that may move away from our auto-destructive selves.
Artists:
Steve Carr, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Cedric Christie, Jean Luc Dubin, Lee Holden, Simon Liddiment, Stacie McCormick, Elena Montesinos, Owen Oppenheimer, Ben Philpott, Jay Price, Pascal Rousson, Rebecca Scott, Tisna Westerhof
Curators: Cedric Christie, Pascal Rousson & Stacie McCormick
| Duration | 19 April 2018 - 10 May 2018 |
| Times | Wed-Sat 10-6 |
| Cost | Free |
| Venue | Unit 1 Gallery / Workshop |
| Address | 1 Bard Road, London, W10 6TP |
| Contact | 4407548315800 / info@unit1gallery-workshop.com / http://unit1gallery-workshop.com/ |