The very old and the very new come together nicely at the AGO right now, with the two special shows they currently have on : the “Early Rubens” exhibition features pieces painted over four centuries ago, and the one I write about today includes artworks created within the past 15 years, some as recently as 2016. Here’s to travelling 400 years by simply moving between floors of the same building!
“This is the Future” by acclaimed German artist, filmmaker, writer and cultural critic, Hito Steyerl, will be on display until February 23, 2020.
Spread over the entire fifth floor of the gallery and including 12 different “environments”, there is a lot to experience. Most of the works involve at least one video and audio component, each presented in a unique space. Visitors are welcome to sit and stay awhile!
As described on the AGO’s site, “Steyerl is a storyteller. Using her signature essayistic documentary style – poetic narration supported by a unique blend of pop cultural images, documentary footage and computer-animated sequences – she presents a vision of our world that is at once humorous and frightening.”
↑ This installation was created with plants and gardeners from a community garden located in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood. ↑
↑ This piece involves a video screen made of sand. ↑
↑ This installation includes the five words that have appeared most frequently in the titles of songs on the English-language music charts over the past decade. ↑
“This is the Future” is included with regular admission and to those with an annual $35 pass or gallery membership. Also, as with everything at the AGO, entry is free to everyone 25 and younger.
Thank you for reading. I hope you’ll check out this interesting and thought-provoking show if you’re in Toronto!
xo loulou
