HASSELT - Z33 - IVES MAES
THE GREAT EXHIBITION
26.10 > 04.01.2009

The Great Exhibition is Ives Maes' first major solo exhibition. Based on a series of photos, the artist sketches a controversial portrait of an era by linking elements from science fiction films to the locations and remains of previous world exhibitions. The exhibition is appropriately subtitled 'Former world exhibition sites (and artefacts) visited by extra-terrestrials'. The world exhibition has always been an example of optimism, of a belief in progress through technology and science to make the world a better place. Science fiction has always been a critical metaphor for the failings of a more humane world. It predicted totalitarian regimes and nuclear holocausts due to the progress of technology and science. By placing this criticism in the presence of the optimism of the world exhibition, you get an ironic analysis of recent history.

More information: www.z33.be

Image:
Ives Maes
Heroes Square (1896) vs Obi Wan Kenobi (1977), 2007
Lambda print, lightbox, 120 x 140 cm
Courtesy Koraalberg Gallery, Antwerp