London – In a new exhibition, artists are exploring visions of utopia that address key contemporary issues including body image, gender, sexuality and race.
- Utopian Voices Here and Now’s curator Shonagh Marshall aims to prompt debate among visitors to the site-wide show at Somerset House
- The free exhibition includes photography, digital paintings, fashion, film, installations and performances
Key highlights include Gen Viz activist Glacier Girl’s fictional household installation, designed to appeal to members of Generation D, in which visitors are invited to join the discussion about climate change through various social media platforms.
UK Gay Bar Directory by artists Rosie Hastings and Hannah Quinlan, meanwhile, questions the notion of the gay bar at a time when many face closure. Go-Pro footage of 170 gay bars around the UK creates a historic record of inclusive spaces across 13 cities.
!WOWOW! collective founder Matthew Stone also presents a series of nudes, Healing With Wounds, which addresses the issues of power and hierarchy at a time of post-EU referendum malaise. ‘Optimistic thought without action will not fix broken systems,’ reads his exhibition text, referencing the artist’s key ideas on cultural rebellion, kindness and love.
The Big Picture
Museums are moving out of the archives, using bold new collaborations and technology to discuss key issues, including identity and climate change. For more, see our Museum Market report.