Virtual Insanity: Collective Exhibition on Virtual Reality Opens in Mainz
From August 3 to November 18, 2018, Kunsthalle Mainz in Germany will host an exhibition titled 'Virtual Insanity,' organized by curator Stefanie Böttcher. This show investigates the effects, dangers, and societal consequences of advanced reality technologies. The exhibit features works by an array of artists, such as Antoine Catala, Cao Fei, and Jon Rafman. The title references Jamiroquai's 1996 song, symbolizing the early days of the internet and the nascent concept of virtual reality. The exhibition aims to reveal how deep engagement with these technologies can influence perception and create a disconnect from the physical world.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Virtual Insanity' at Kunsthalle Mainz from August 3 to November 18, 2018.
- Curated by Stefanie Böttcher.
- Features 10 international artists: Antoine Catala, Cao Fei, Eva & Franco Mattes, Harun Farocki, Igor Simić, Jon Rafman, Jordan Wolfson, Refrakt & Nicole Ruggiero & Molly Soda, Renaud Jerez, Tabita Rezaire.
- Title references Jamiroquai's 1996 song 'Virtual Insanity'.
- Explores psychological and social effects of virtual reality and extended reality technologies.
- Includes pioneering digital graphics by Harun Farocki, synthetic worlds by Cao Fei, and dreamlike animations by Jon Rafman.
- Curatorial statement: 'Artists express what science can only hypothesize: high immersion can change consciousness and people.'
- Venue address: Am Zollhafen 3-5, 55118 Mainz, Germany.
Entities
Artists
- Antoine Catala
- Cao Fei
- Eva & Franco Mattes
- Harun Farocki
- Igor Simić
- Jon Rafman
- Jordan Wolfson
- Refrakt
- Nicole Ruggiero
- Molly Soda
- Renaud Jerez
- Tabita Rezaire
- Jaron Lanier
- Valentina Tanni
Institutions
- Kunsthalle Mainz
- Penguin Books
- Politecnico di Milano
- Naba – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
- Artribune
Locations
- Mainz
- Germany
- Am Zollhafen 3-5, 55118 Mainz
- Magonza