Flare (Oceania) features a gas flare, burning in the form of a flag, in the South Pacific Ocean near Tonga. Based on photographs of the ocean captured by activist and artist Uili Lousi, Flare (Oceania) meditates on the existential threat heating oceans pose to low-lying lands as well as the economic and geopolitical factors contributing to the climate crisis. Flare (Oceania) was commissioned by Bridgitt Evans,
Pace is pleased to present Endling, an exhibition of new annual simulations by John Gerrard, at its 510 West 25th Street space in New York.
Marking Gerrard’s first major solo show with Pace, the presentation will run from June 29 to August 12. The artworks on view in Endling are the result of 20 years of game engine development by the artist.
Gerrard creates virtual worlds in his game engine-based, politically resonant artworks that take the form of simulations. His custom-programmed, generative, digital works have examined issues related to energy production, food systems, information flows, and other timely subjects.
Endling, the title of Gerrard’s exhibition with Pace in New York, refers to the last individual member of a given species before its extinction. This title reflects Gerrard’s interest in the global impact of certain political conditions and behaviors. With these concerns at the core of the artist’s simulations, the exhibition examines the complex relationships between political power, nationhood, energy production, and environmental exploitation.
The exhibition will feature three new and recent large-scale simulations by Gerrard: Flare (Oceania) (2022), Endling (Martha) (2021), and washington.stream (2022). These virtual worlds will run on the local times of their respective subjects—Tonga, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles—during their presentations in New York. Throughout the exhibition’s run, the doors of 510 West 25th Street will remain open, inviting viewers to engage with the public-facing simulations as part of a communal experience. Extending the gallery into the street, Flare (Oceania) will be immediately visible to passersby.
Flare (Oceania) features a gas flare, burning in the form of a flag, in the South Pacific Ocean near Tonga. Based on photographs of the ocean captured by activist and artist Uili Lousi, Flare (Oceania) meditates on the existential threat heating oceans pose to low-lying lands as well as the economic and geopolitical factors contributing to the climate crisis. Functioning as the centerpiece of the exhibition, Flare (Oceania), which is commissioned by Bridgitt Evans, will be presented on an 18 by 18-foot high-resolution screen provided by ROE Visual, a leading LED display manufacturer with whom Gerrard has previously collaborated.
John Gerrard
Endling
Jun 29 – Aug 12, 2022
Pace Gallery:
510 West 25th Street
New York
Flare [Oceania] 2022 centres on a simulated generative form which hovers between a gas flare and national flag.
This data object is set within a seascape based on photographs taken by activist and artist Uili Lousi of his heating ancestral ocean near Tonga. Gerrard’s new work represents an ecology in hyper distress and a world faced with the existential threat of rising seas.
Flare will be shown as a large–scale 7M x 7M LED wall at Galway Docks and streamed live online. John Gerrard is best known for his large–scale and site–specific works including Mirror Pavilion GIAF’s commission for Galway 2020.
Flare has been commissioned by Bridgitt and Bruce Evans.
ART-CLIMATE-COP26 program 2021 Glasgow:
World Premiere: Flare (Oceania) 2021 by John Gerrard at University of Glasgow / Hunterian Gallery.
On November 5th and 6th 2021, Irish artist John Gerrard will exhibit the piece Flare (Oceania) 2021 on the South facade of the University of Glasgow, in partnership with Art of Change 21. This new monumental work, a digital simulation, has been specially designed for COP26. This new piece is a sequel to Western Flag. The piece evokes the link between climate change and the ocean and addresses the key role of humans in global warming. The work was inspired by and presented to the press by Tongan activist and artist Uili Lousi. Supported by The British Council and Schneider Electric.
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