Haroon Mirza's Ikon exhibition explores circuit-bending, appropriation, and audiovisual coherence

Haroon Mirza's individual exhibition titled 'reality is somehow what we expect it to be' was held at Ikon in Birmingham between 30 November 2018 and 24 February 2019. This showcase highlighted ten years of his creations, including Taka Tak (2008) and An_Infinato (2009), emphasizing his unique circuit-bending techniques. The LED Circuit Composition series (2015–18) features silent light installations with misleading audio effects. A Chamber for Horwitz (2015) transforms Channa Horwitz's score into color displays activated by the gallery's lighting. The Rules of Appropriation series (2018) integrates fake Louis Vuitton items into solar-powered installations. Power to Instagram (2018) presents a solar-powered smartphone featuring Acierta's Instagram post, while Welcome to the Machine (2018) connects a sound-generating circuit to Osman Yousefzada's film. The National Apavilion of Then and Now, from the 2011 Venice Biennale, emits buzzing sounds from electrical currents. Mirza's art delves into themes of influence, appropriation, and the limits of intellectual property.