Key Facts
- ✓ The exhibition 'El vértigo de las imágenes' is being held at the TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes.
- ✓ It features a collective of 35 artists exploring the impact of technology on visual perception.
- ✓ The Werker collective, founded by Marc Roig Blesa and Rogier Delfos, presents a key installation titled 'A Gestual History of the Young Worker'.
- ✓ This specific installation was created in collaboration with Georgy Marmedov and draws inspiration from Soviet-era visual culture.
- ✓ The work critically examines the connections between historical labor oppression and contemporary queer experience.
- ✓ The installation uses a labyrinthine structure to subvert the traditional, linear museum experience for visitors.
The Visual Overload
In an era defined by a relentless stream of images, a major exhibition in Tenerife asks a critical question: how does the abundance of visual data, amplified by technology, alter our perception of the world? The show, titled El vértigo de las imágenes (The Vertigo of Images), brings together the work of 35 artists to dissect the complex relationship between media, artificial intelligence, and human understanding.
Hosted at the TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, the exhibition serves as a collective response to the visual saturation of contemporary life. It moves beyond passive viewing, creating an immersive environment where visitors are prompted to question the very nature of what they see. The curation suggests that in a world of endless scrolling and AI-generated content, critical engagement is no longer optional—it is essential.
A Critical Lens on History
Among the diverse works on display, the installation A Gestual History of the Young Worker (2019) stands out for its unique historical perspective. Created by the Werker collective—founded by Marc Roig Blesa and Rogier Delfos—and in collaboration with Georgy Marmedov, the piece draws inspiration from the visual representation of the body in the former Soviet Union.
The installation does not merely replicate historical imagery; it deconstructs it. By examining the visual language of labor, it forges a critical connection between historical systems of oppression and contemporary queer experiences. The work proposes a radical, utopian union between the concepts of work and desire, challenging viewers to see beyond traditional narratives.
The installation explores the connections between the historical oppressions of labor and the queer experience.
"The installation explores the connections between the historical oppressions of labor and the queer experience."
— Exhibition Curatorial Notes
A Labyrinthine Experience
The physical and conceptual structure of the Werker installation is designed to disrupt the viewer’s journey. Instead of a linear path, the work adopts a laberíntica (labyrinthine) structure, assembled from texts and images sourced from various archives. This non-linear approach subverts the conventional museum walk, forcing unexpected encounters with the material.
By breaking the linearity of the narrative, the installation mirrors the fragmented nature of digital consumption. Visitors must navigate a maze of historical and visual references, creating a personal and often disorienting experience. This method effectively translates the "vertigo" of the exhibition's title into a tangible, spatial reality.
- Subverts the traditional linear museum experience.
- Utilizes a mix of archival texts and imagery.
- Creates unexpected juxtapositions for the visitor.
- Reflects the fragmented nature of digital media consumption.
The Age of Artificial Intelligence
The exhibition’s scope extends beyond historical analysis to confront the most pressing technological force of our time: artificial intelligence. The title itself, El vértigo de las imágenes, directly references the dizzying speed at which AI can now generate, manipulate, and disseminate visual content. The collective works on display act as a counter-narrative to the often-unquestioned output of algorithms.
By showcasing art that challenges perception, the exhibition provides tools for navigating a landscape where the line between the real and the artificial is increasingly blurred. It positions the artist not just as a creator, but as a critical thinker who can help society decipher the complex visual codes of the 21st century.
Looking Ahead
The exhibition in Tenerife is more than a collection of artworks; it is a call to action. It suggests that the antidote to the vertigo of images is not to look away, but to look closer and think deeper. By engaging with works that deconstruct historical and digital visual languages, visitors are equipped to better understand the forces shaping their reality.
As technology continues to evolve, the dialogue between art, history, and artificial intelligence will only become more vital. This exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that in the face of overwhelming visual data, critical thought remains our most valuable tool for navigation and understanding.
