Machine in the Ghost is a unique group art exhibition presented by the Kirk Ke Wang Art Space in Seminole Heights, Tampa. Six Florida-based artists work in collaboration with internet programs toward creating new artwork for the exhibition slated to open on Friday October 3.
Curated by Danny Olda, the exhibition aims to examine the increasingly ubiquitous yet enigmatic role of algorithms found in daily life, from data mining to the behavior of companies such as Netflix and Pandora. The exhibition also playfully comments on the “academicizing” of visual art. As artist statements become progressively cerebral and jargon-filled, Machine in the Ghost makes use of artificially created artist statements which come with a familiarity, and even a conceptual quality, that is difficult to dismiss.
Whereas artists typically write a short statement to accompany and explain their artwork, the process has been reversed and somewhat automated for this exhibition. Machine in the Ghost makes use of online artist-statement-generating software. Six artist statements were created by the program using random topics and then distributed to participating artists. The artists, in turn, are creating work based on these generated statements.
Artists Nathalie Chikhi, Michael Covello, Shawn Pettersen, Selina Román, Eileen Isagon Skyers and Mikaela Raquel Williams are currently at work creating art in a variety of mediums and styles interpreting their given statement.
Sponsored by the Learning Ground Foundation.
WHAT: Machine in the Ghost: A Group Exhibition
WHEN: Friday October 3, 2014 Opening Reception 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday October 11, 2014 – Panel Discussion 7 p.m.
WHERE: Kirk Ke Wang Art Space
5120 N Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33603
EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1521022851465698/
About Kirk Ke Wang Art Space
The Kirk Ke Wang Art Space is a studio and non-profit art venue in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida. It is one of three studios maintained by visual artist and Eckerd College professor of visual arts Kirk Ke Wang. The space also operates as a non-profit art space in the culturally thriving Tampa neighborhood.
About Danny Olda
Danny Olda is an art critic and editor working in Tampa, Florida. He is currently the editor of the quarterly art journal ART AT BAY as well as the Pinellas County based blog ARTICULATE. His work has also been published in BURNAWAY, Daily Serving, Hi Fructose Magazine, Beautiful/Decay, Creative Loafing and Sarasota Visual Art.