Ways of Existing
Ways of Existing
Curated by Emaan Mahmud
Visual and pop culture profoundly shape our interactions with both ourselves and the world around us. These omnipresent messages influence how we perceive ourselves, our values, and our behaviours, often blurring the lines between reality and representation. By delving into Baudrillard's concept of simulacra and simulation, we see how cultural artifacts create hyperrealities, making it challenging to distinguish between what is real and what is artificially constructed.
In this exhibition, pop culture and kitsch play a crucial role. They highlight how mass-produced items, ideas, ideologies, and iconic symbols influence our self-perception and societal norms. This engagement aligns with Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological assertion that perception is an active, embodied process. Viewers become participants in the ongoing narrative, assigning significance to these objects.
Through this show, I want the artists to unravel our deep connection with the material world and how it shapes our existence. Are we the ones crafting visual culture, or does this culture mold how we view ourselves and our surroundings? By considering our embodied experiences with the displayed objects, we explore the complex interplay between perception, materiality, and cultural influence in our daily lives. This examination is further enriched by Bourdieu's theory of habitus, which helps us understand how our social and cultural contexts shape our perceptions and actions.
To be able to think deeply about the intricate relationship between our core selves and the material world. How do these interactions influence our perception and, ultimately, our existence?