WHAT: Lifeforms
WHEN: 12th October – 30th December, 2022
WHO: Universal Everything
WHERE: 180 The Strand (180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA)
PRICE: £15-20 (concessions available)
OUR RATING: Chance It!
Developed by Universal Everything, a collective focused on media art and design, and housed in the subterranean wonderland of 180 The Strand, Lifeforms promised to bring together fourteen installations that are in flux, using generative techniques to create a variety of almost alien creatures across large scale screens, sometimes with an interactive element. Unfortunately, much as we love the venue and past exhibitions here, we felt Lifeforms missed the mark for us.
In the main, Lifeforms consists of large-scale projection and screenwork primarily featuring creatures in motion – that is to say walking forward. These beings constantly transform, one minute effusive hair, the next chunky rock, and onward to a more globular substance. It’s a compelling idea initially, but the work tends to remix and recast these images time and time again, so that what was once spellbinding quickly becomes tired. It is absolutely clear that diligent work has gone into these beings’ creation, but one questions the efficacy of having this many largely similar installations.
We felt these images would have been well-suited to public spaces, and indeed some of them have been used in such settings. The creation of wonder in the public realm is always a breath of fresh air, but part of that revolves around the unexpected nature of such installations, the transformation of space into something “other”. When presented in a concentrated manner, that facet seems lost in the bright lights.
The elements of interaction in the exhibition are welcome, and allow patrons to better engage with the material. The material itself, however, whilst said to be inspired by notable artists and other luminaries seemed to be grasping for connections that, to our mind, didn’t exist.
Final Thoughts: As an experience of what digital art can achieve, this exhibition hits all the right notes. However, for the price point, there is not enough thoughtful variety to justify more than the most die-hard fans of 21st century “new” digital art from attending.
