Vicarious Ephemera I
Espace Loulou 27/06/24
VICARIOUS:
· Experiencing through another person: Refers to the experience of feelings, emotions, or actions indirectly, as through the feelings or actions of another person.
· Done or performed for another: Acting or done for another, typically used in contexts where someone does something on behalf of someone else.
EPHEMERA:
· Items of temporary use or interest: This term usually refers to any transitory written or printed materials that are not meant to be retained or preserved. Examples include tickets, pamphlets, posters, or greeting cards.
· Something short-lived: In a broader sense, it refers to things that exist or are enjoyed for only a short time.
"Vicarious Ephemera" is a unique exploration into the realms of relational aesthetics and conceptual art. In this exhibition, Morgan Ali delves into the intricate dynamics of social relations within the context of an art gallery, offering a reflective gaze upon the behaviors and interactions that define such gatherings.
At the heart of this exhibition lies a provocative exploration of ownership — not only of the art itself but also of the experiences and moments captured within these spaces. By inviting participants not just to engage with, but to co-create the artworks through their interactions, Ali challenges conventional notions of authorship and invites contemplation on who truly possesses the art: the creator, the viewer, or perhaps the moment itself.
Interactivity plays a pivotal role in Ali's practice, where each piece not only invites but necessitates active participation. Participants become integral to the creation process as they capture moments from the exhibition through their own lenses, sharing them as ephemeral digital stories on social media. These fleeting glimpses are ephemeral in nature, echoing the transient essence of the experience itself.
The artwork emerges from this digital dialogue between creator and audience: Ali captures and prints these digital stories on thermal paper, a material destined to fade over time. As the images gradually dissipate, only the archival data — the location, date, and precise minute of capture — remains, encapsulating the essence of temporality inherent in each moment.
Central to Ali's artistic philosophy is the concept of archival and the power of time. "Vicarious Ephemera" serves not only as a live event but also as a repository of moments captured and reanchored in time. Through documentation and reinterpretation, each exhibition iteration becomes a unique reflection of its temporal context, capturing the essence of fleeting moments and transforming them into enduring narratives.
— Alex Miller
