clare gatto and kara güt at museum of contemporary art detroit
Magic Circle
“In their first museum exhibition as collaborators, Clare Gatto and Kara Güt share their speculative interventions within the digitally-modified landscape of contemporary culture. Titled Magic Circle, the exhibition centers on fantasy roleplay video game design and motifs as points of departure and offers a glimpse into an alternate realm or reality. Through hybrid assemblages, the artists transform the gallery into an ambiguous “in-between” world that collapses the boundaries dividing the virtual from the “real.”
Gallery lights have been dimmed to accentuate video screens that glow from their fabricated rock beds. The faux stone blends with the floor rendering the installation an immersive, extraterrestrial landscape.
The Portals are reflective of the imagery presented in the videos, inviting the viewer to step through to a parallel realm. A strategically placed Stepping Stone lends a sense of dimensionality as well as composition. Portal II contains touches of corals providing some warmth.
Color is predominantly relegated to the video captures where the palette is determined by nature. Waterfalls and babbling brooks supply a gentle soundtrack to this excursion.
Magic Circle addresses the natural world contrasting with its digital substitute, particularly the vivid imaginary worlds found in video games. One can get as lost in either.
With the advent of AI, humans have a full menu of escapist realities if the actual doesn’t suit. This smacks of a Fahrenheit 451 scenario where watching TV is enforced over critical thinking via reading allowing power’s insatiable appetite to gorge unopposed. Just hope there’s always a Guy on this side of the screen to fight for freedom.
On view through February 23rd at MOCAD 4454 Woodward Detroit. MOCAD is now charging an entrance fee for the museum. Every second Saturday of the month is free.
*images are mine unless otherwise indicated
direct quote from gallery materials
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