With a title like “The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be,” ArtCenter South Florida’s exhibition isn’t optimistic, tackling harsh realities that loom not too far over the horizon for both future and present generations.
The opening reception began on Wednesday, February 17, artists and audience mingling in between jazz and drinks. Though few, each art piece had its own commanding presence and demands to be felt.
One of the first experiences that jolt the viewer into awareness is a video by Ananke Asseff. Viewers walk into a room one by one and watch as a scenario unfolds before them. Not to ruin the surprise, the details of what is shown on screen trigger fear or laughter, but they are meant to cause a reaction. Asseff explains that her aim is to “place the viewer as a potential victim,” and reverse the roles most minorities face.
Adjacent to this exhibit is one by Gisela Motta and Leandro Lima, in which a sped up video of a heart created out of soda cans and cigarette packages, fearfully beats with explosions and a metallic clamor. In one corner of the room stands an unfinished wall, with names stenciled on some of the bricks. They represent the black men and women killed in police and security violence. Artist Rosa Naday Garmendia remarks that unfortunately, it is an ongoing project, as more and more names are added. Garmendia reflects that “it began with the murder of a black man in Miami, an incident in 1980 which grew to include casualties across the U.S and recent events.” Now commemorating the Black Lives Matter movement, the wall aims to bring awareness to deaths occurring both locally and nationally because of police brutality.
To bring a bit of comedy and relieve some of the heavy motifs, Octavio Abúndez’s work (from which the title for the event was borrowed) plays with the reality of life after an apocalypse or some other major form of world cataclysm. A blackboard announces disasters, what to do, and the chance of survival. It seems to be saying “Life goes on” though not it the way one would expect. His bookcase (currently lacking actual books, but which will be added shortly) contains titles such as “The Anarchists Cookbook” and “Interstellar Etiquette for Dummies”.
Curator Susan Caraballo was first inspired by Abúndez’s work and aims to expand the exhibition to include more art. “It started with gun violence and grew from there. Now it includes themes like environmental and political issues.” She commented on how viewers bring their own meaning to certain displays. “Even the missing books [from Octavio Abúndez’s bookshelf] make a statement. They haven’t been written yet,” Caraballo explains. Perhaps there is still a chance to change our future.
“The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be,” highlights important issues such as pollution, brutality, and mindless consumerism. However, it is one thing to bring awareness, and another to bemoan a future that lies in the hands of each and every individual. Every era in history has its own violence and conflict, each generation thinks the end of the world is nigh. But at the end of the day, it is our decision to get involved and take responsibility for our actions. And being conscious of our surroundings is only the first step. These poignant art pieces will be on display until March 27, 2016.