In 1992, the acclaimed curator and art dealer Jeffrey Deitch introduced the art world to “Post Human,” a groundbreaking group exhibition. This event delved into the interplay between technology and daily life, setting the stage for discussions on tech-infused existentialism which persist in our cultural narrative today. The exhibit sought to transcend traditional boundaries, offering a fresh take on the human condition through prim yet synthetic lenses.
Now, over three decades later, “Post Human” makes a dynamic comeback at Jeffrey Deitch Los Angeles. This revitalized exhibition brings together works from 36 artists, featuring icons such as Hajime Sorayama, Kiki Smith, Damien Hirst, Pippa Garner, Jordan Wolfson, Cindy Sherman, and Urs Fischer. Notable artists from the original showcase merge with contemporary talents, collectively exploring the evolving concepts of body modification and questioning the significance of realism in a world increasingly influenced by pharmaceuticals like Ozempic.
The artworks assembled challenge the viewer, presenting themes of diversity and transformation beneath a futuristic spectacle. In Josh Kline’s display, workforce figurines wrapped in plastic grapple with the idea of labor becoming automated. Meanwhile, Anna Uddenburg’s ergonomically designed chairs explore themes of performance and comfort in our socially media-driven era. Within the gallery’s stark white setting, Paul McCarthy portrays a gathering of disoriented humans amidst a thriving forest, pushing conversations about what constitutes “natural” life.
Central to the exhibit, “Post Human” epitomizes the concept of the cyborg, fragmented and hybrid. The works reflect our age’s major dilemmas through a lens that’s cyber-futuristic and surgically enhanced. The “cultured body” becomes a canvas for examining today’s sociopolitical and technological challenges, navigating the balance between real and virtual life, as indicated by a recent gallery statement. The curated pieces embrace the metamorphosis away from a solely human form.
It will run until January 18, 2025, at 925 N. Orange Drive in Los Angeles, presenting an enriching experience for those interested in art and technology’s entwined narrative.
