"Like everything alive that we try to hold forever"
On view from Thursday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, June 27, at the Museum of Fine Arts
Florida State University's Museum of Fine Arts (MoFA) will debut a new exhibition this month that explores the deep and often complicated relationship between human beings and the non-human objects that shape our lives.
"Like everything alive that we try to hold forever" will be on view from Thursday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, June 27, at the Museum of Fine Arts, a part of the College of Fine Arts, with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.
"This exhibit is an incredibly thought-provoking show, bringing work from internationally-renowned artists to the Tallahassee community - we hope you won't miss the chance to enjoy it while it's here," said Kaylee Spencer, director of the museum.
The exhibition is curated by Esker Foundation's Elizabeth Diggon, Naomi Potter, and Shauna Thompson and produced by Independent Curators International (ICI) in partnership with Esker Foundation (Calgary, Canada). It presents the work of seven artists whose work examines the relationship between human bodies and non-human objects.
The exhibition features artwork in photography, sculpture and video that explores a range of issues central to the human experience.
Artists include Larry Achiampong & David Blandy, England, United Kingdom; Diane Borsato, Guelph, Canada; Stephanie Dinkins, Brooklyn, New York; Bridget Moser, Toronto, Canada; Sondra Perry, Perth Amboy, New Jersey; and Miya Turnbull, Halifax, Canada.
Curatorial Statement:
These relationships are complex and interconnected, showing us how the systematic collection, consumption and contextualization of objects impacts our understanding of self and others. By drawing parallels between the legacy of archaeology, colonialism, the potential of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and the ever-blurring line between the self and the other, this exhibit seeks to thread the complex reality of the human experience. Some artists conduct their exploration from an internal perspective, studying issues of identity, likeness and self-authorship. Others reckon with the role of imposed knowledge systems in defining what is (and isn't) human, addressing the biases and harms that are often entrenched within systems and collections under the guise of neutrality.
Alongside the exhibition, the Museum of Fine Arts will host a series of events and activities throughout its run.
