Videos of the future at the Dreams of Progress art exhibition

(press release)

6^th – 18^th July, Westminster Reference Library, London, free admission

Short movies from international artists have been gathered along with corporate videos to form the Dreams of Progress art exhibition. Taking place at the Westminster Reference Library between the 6^th and 18^th July, the event will showcase past and present visions of the future.

In these days of economical, environmental and sometimes ideological uncertainties, the exhibition ‘Dreams of Progress’ will take a look back at our previous visions of the future, how they materialized and the way that they relate to the dreams we nourish today. Videos of utopian visions will be presented along with the sensitive perceptions of emerging video artists.

Predictions for the 60s from General Motors back in 1940 are juxtaposed with the recent vision of Microsoft for 2019; bitter-sweet feelings from early memories of the artists Richard Jerousek and Brian Phillips are confronted with the galactic voyage of Tokyo imagined by Ian Lynam.  These videos and more will question the meaning of progress, between modernism and postmodernism, individuality and collective dreams, human nature as opposed to mega structures.

The videos will be displayed at the Westminster Reference Library, in the heart of London’s West End. The exhibition space, opened to the art reading room, will provide a relaxed environment to view the videos in tranquillity.

The exhibition is curated by Christophe Bruchansky as part of the Curated Matter project, a non-profit venture dedicated to the organisation of exhibitions that catalyse social innovation. The Dreams of Progress exhibition features a philosophical debate which considers the existence and possibilities of utopias as well as the fear of dystopias. Part of the national Children’s Art Day program, a workshop will be organized to teach children how to create artistic films from pre-existing video material. They will be encouraged to exercise their critical thinking by remixing the utopian vision from the video ‘Design for Dreaming’ from General Motors (1956).

Christophe Bruchansky, curator of Dreams of Progress, says “I’m very proud of this exhibition. I was impressed by the quality and diversity of the art videos and I’m pleased to present the work of emerging talents to the London public. The theme of progress is particularly appropriate in a period aspiring for change. I hope that visitors will be as inspired as I was by the exploration of past and present utopias, obsolete ideals and forward thinking visions. I’m also very grateful that Microsoft and squint/opera allowed the display of their videos for the exhibition. They offer along with the corporate videos from the Prelinger archives a rich material for thoughts on utopias and progress.”

Rossella Black, event commissioner at the WRF, says “Our wish is to generate a sense of excitement and inspiration. The aim of these events is to use a creatively dormant space such a traditional Library as a resource, study and temporary hub of debate and interaction, a ‘creative city’ which opens up to a new and ever changing audience.”

Art videos by Adam Pelling Deeves (UK), Julian Roberts and Namalee Bolle (UK), Keith Loutit (Australia), Ian Lynam (Japan), Richard Jerousek and Brian Phillips (USA), Sam Fuller (USA), Urizen Freaza (Spain) and Misty Woodford (USA).

Visions of the future by Bell, The Danish Royal Academy of Art, General Motors and Microsoft.

Westminster Reference Library

6^th – 18^th July, Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 5pm

35 St Martin’s Street, London WC2H 7HP

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, map

Free admission

Supported by

More details on http://curatedmatter.org/dreams-of-progress/