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ED FORNIELES (UK)

TULIP FEVER

JUNE 29 TO AUGUST 05

ARSENAL ART CONTEMPORAIN

BIO - ED FORNIELES

Hailed as a “post-internet” artist, Ed Fornieles creates work that takes inspiration from all corners of 21st century culture, from popular movies and television characters to social media platforms. Using various reoccurring digital archetypes, Fornieles investigates the concepts of family, friendship, relationship, physical interaction and language. Some of Fornieles’ notable works include Dorm Daze (2011), “Facebook sitcom” for which the artist appropriated real profiles of American college students and created new characters for them. The profiles were then “performed” online by actors over the course of three months. Using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr as his materials, Fornieles creates digital projects that manifest as site-specific installations and performances. His show at the New Museum in New York included a “mock orgy” and a massive pillow fight. In addition to his online endeavors, Fornieles has shown in physical spaces both in the United States and abroad, including Carl Kostyal, Stockholm, Chisenhale Gallery, London, New Museum, New York (in association with Rhizome), Serpentine Gallery, London, Carlos/Ishikawa, London, and the 2012 Frieze Art Fair London. In 2003 Fornieles was awarded the Cunliffe Prize, judged by artist Anya Gallaccio.

VIDEO

The artwork presented here is part of The Finiliars, an ongoing series created by the artist during a residency at Arsenal contemporary Montreal in 2016. Adapting the popular collectibles of Japanese kawaii culture and evoking the digital toy pet Tamagotchi, The Finiliar reimages currencies as soft, globular figures whose range of emotions come to evocatively symbolize the perpetual flux in global monetary values. The video Tulip Fever considers the possible relations between Finiliars — from celebratory champagne guzzling to tear-jerking.

With the kind permission of the artist and Gallery Division

LINK: http://www.galeriedivision.com/montreal

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