ec-satyricOn 2000
Universal Concepts Unlimited announces the opening of "ec-satyricOn 2000 (enhanced)
+ bodies in the bit-stream (compliant)" a digital-based exhibition of recent work by
Joseph Nechvatal, on Thursday, October 26 from 6-8 PM.
Since 1985, Joseph Nechvatal has been exploring what he calls the viractual image; a
complex numeric image which consists of a mixture of drawing, digital-photography, painting,
written language, and externalized computer code - all of which is submitted to computational
manipulations (including viral attacks). Based loosely around passages from a cyber-sex farce
novella he wrote in Paris called "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~venus©-~Ñ~vibrator, even" - and from
certain passages from Gaius Petronius Arbiter¹s (~27-66 AD) book Satyricon, this exhibition
puts forth a mingling of the virtual, the aesthetic, and the sexual.
The exhibition consists of six large computer-robotic assisted paintings which, together, create
a sweeping, immersive environment. Also, a specially rubber-bound example of "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~venus©-~Ñ~vibrator, even" will be on display, as well as a suite of unique
digital prints from the "code x" series, and a DVD animated puppet show. Nechvatal¹s stated
intentions are to pictorially integrate the occurrence of the loss of subjectivity as experienced in
sexual transport and sexual fantasies with the philosophical loss of sovereignty typical of the
disembodied finesse encountered when immersed in virtual space. Here - for example with the
loss of body consciousness specific to total-immersion within a virtual reality environment - one
frequently senses a transport dissolution moving consciousness away from nature, while
developing a slightly ridiculous, human self-consciousness.
In encounters with virtualizing digitization, representations of carnal pulp used in fleshing-out
"ec-satyricOn 2000" (various body parts - some found on-line, others produced via digital
photographic techniques) are turned diaphanous through various reproductive digital processes
and synthetic maneuvers - including viral attacks. The programming used to enact the computer
viral attacks was developed by Nechvatal in 1992-93 during his Louis Pasteur artist-in-residency
at Arbois, France.
Joseph Nechvatal has exhibited his work widely in Europe and the United States,both in private
and public venues. He is in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum, the
Moderna Musset in Stockholm and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. His work was included in
Documenta 8. His web-site, with full CV and collected writings, can be found at: http://www.dom.de/arts/artists/jnech/
For further information contact Universal Concepts Unlimited @ 212.727.7575
Exhibition: October 26 - December 02.00
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 6PM
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Universal Concepts Unlimited
507 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel. 212.727.7575 Fax. 212.727.7676 email: ucu1@rcn.com