Author: Ben Weathers

Daniel Bozhkov (Darth Vader Tries to Clean the BLack Sea with Brita Filter, 2000) approaches his work in a unique way, showcasing a single photograph from a once live performance. This single image manages to truly capture the performance, Bozhkov donning a Darth Vader costume as he stands in the Black Sea, filtering the water with a Brita pitcher. Once the water has purified, Bozhkov then pours it into a clean container, only to then pour that back into the sea. This process was repeated many times, with Bozhkov continuously filtering and spilling water. There is a futility present in Bozhkov’s performance, but the humor of the situation and Bozhkov’s determination to continue cuts right through it.

Jake McNamara (Cyberbond, 2020-2021) questions the human relationship with technology by inviting us to join him in the “digital realm”. A call back to the early days of the internet, McNamara has constructed a labyrinth like website for viewers to explore. A reality to get lost in and join with fellow “cybernauts”. A collection of photos, music and recorded media performances Cyberbond aims to showcase the turbulent relationship of McNamara and the technology he uses.

Shaun Leonardo (Primitive Games, 2018) offers us an alternative way to debate. He gathers willing participants into a room and has them non-verbally debate gun control. Leonardo dresses the participants in similar clothing and attempts to make it as difficult as possible to have a visual bias, meaning that none of the participants initially know who’s on which side of the debate. Leonardo effectively eliminates the potential for what would be considered a “normal debate”. Instead, the participants must find a new way to present their arguments, leading them to really think about their viewpoints and how they can express them.