Tony Oursler's Phantasmagoria at MAC's Grand Hornu

Tony Oursler's exhibition at MAC's Grand Hornu from November 17, 2013 to February 23, 2014 features the monumental work Phantasmagoria, created specifically for the museum's large hall. The piece combines baroque excess with technical mastery, using static and animated projections, shadow play, and sound to ensnare the viewer. A giant spider web physically blocks passage while images and sounds invade walls and ceilings. Curator Denis Gielen interprets this as a prefiguration of the Internet and the web, while Oursler critiques American society's virtual emotional experiences. The exhibition also includes a comprehensive anthology transcribing all audible voices in his phantasmagoric projections, addressing themes of beauty, communication, mental illness, and belief systems. Oursler's work echoes the critical stance of his friend and collaborator Mike Kelley.