We do live in an age of chaos and anxieties, but there are those trying to exorcise them through art and dedicated events such as Guerrilla Zoo's "Modern Panic" exhibition, currently on in London. Curated by James Elphick, the fifth edition of the event includes over 40 surreal, controversial and provocative international modern artists and live arts practitioners.
Work varies and goes from Iain Macarthur's portraits of ordinary people embellished with geometrically mesmerising patterns to Lucy Sparrow's felt recreations of commercial everyday products or Sequin Kay's skull covered in 24,500 sequins and 1,010 Swarovski crystals which took 295 hours to complete (think about a glammed up version of Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God" sculpture and you get the idea).
Dystopian moods and atmospheres prevail in the detailed ballpoint-pen drawings by Belgian artist Simon Lejeune, depicting scenes from a mysterious future where man's inventions have devoured humanity, in the intricate drawings by French Jean Francois Bouron and the psycho-spiritual illustrations by French self-taught artist and freelance designer DZO Olivier.
Religious iconography mixes instead with tattoo art and modern paintings in Karina Akopyan's visions and Anne 'Blondie' Bengard infuses her pop works with a nostalgic and childish edge combining humour and eroticism.
Among the highlights of the exhibition there are the works of the late Swiss painter, sculptor and set designer H.R. Giger and in particular his sculpture co-created with assistant Jules Bloom, completed before he died this year.
What makes "Modern Panic" so unique?
James Elphick: "Modern Panic" cuts through the banal, dull and predictable, and shines a spotlight on a diverse cross section of modern provocative artworks from international artists.
Can you introduce us to the wonderfully surreal and controversial world of the fifth edition?
James Elphick: We have a cornucopia of works on display from sculpture, fine art, film, graphics, photography and more. Come to the show and see what has the strongest impact on you!
Which have been the most remarkable changes between the first edition and this one? The number of artists included? The mediums they express themselves in?
James Elphick: Each year the standard increases; each year has also been very different in terms of subject matters explored and styles of work. The very first show featured the founding fathers of the 'Panic Movement' of which Modern Panic has its roots. Each year we progress with numerous new wave controversial and provocative modern artists. This year we have reduced the overall number of artists to explore slightly bigger works and sculptural pieces.
This edition seems to merge the digital world with the craft world since it features artists expressing themselves in different ways, from sculptures to illustrations or felt pieces; was this a curatorial choice?
James Elphick: Each "Modern Panic" has always been this diverse, the curatorial choice was more directed to works exploring the human psyche and delving the depths of what it is to be you, the viewer.
Was it difficult to get the last sculptures by H.R. Giger?
James Elphick: It was a long process and looked like it almost might not happen when we learnt of Giger's unfortunately passing earlier this year. However, we were very lucky to secure two of his last sculptures ever made, with permission from the Giger Estate.
In your opinion, which is the most dystopian piece on display? And the most visually striking or most bizarre one?
James Elphick: H.R. Giger & Jules Bloom's "Space Jockey" and "Derelict" spaceship, Webbo's graffiti inspired diorama and Demitri Nezis' new world order visions; visually striking are Jean-Luc Almond's powerful portraits and the most bizarre perhaps goes to Ann-Marie Johnson's fantastic headless scupture.
If you could take Modern Panic outside London, which country would you take it to?
James Elphick: I have plans to take the show to Mexico, Panic's magical and spiritual birth place. I feel there are some very revolutionary artists coming from this country and the show would connect well!
Modern Panic V, Apiary Studios 458 Hackney Rd, London, E2 9EG UK, until 16th November 2014, 11am – 7pm daily. Admission £3. Featuring: Karina Akopyan, Jean-Luc Almond, Rhine Bernardino, Anne 'Blondie' Bengard, Jules Bloom, James Bloomfield, Jean-Francois Bouron, Paul Micheal Browne, Christophe Richart Carrozza, Rowen Corkill, Freyja Dean, Olivier DZO, H.R. Giger, Sandra Heeks, Orli Ivanov, Ann-Marie Johnson, Sequin Kay, Kayleigh O'Keefe, Shannon Rose Lane, Simon Lejeune, Iain Macarthur, Vort Man, Michelle Mildenhall, William Nagle, Dominic Negus, Demitri Nezis, Nihil, Scabbage, Alastair Skerman, Lucy Sparrow, Stefania Tasca, Webbo, James Wheeldon, Trystan Williams, Charlotte Wosiek, Rococo Wonderland.
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