In today's world of endless scrolling and digital saturation, it's easy to overlook the profound impact that visual culture has on our lives. Enter Sara Cwynar, a multimedia artist who, through her exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, challenges our perception of images and their role in shaping our reality.
Cwynar's exhibition, titled "Baby Blue Benzo Beta," is a thought-provoking journey through the labyrinth of contemporary visual culture. It's an exploration of how images, from ancient artifacts to modern-day internet trends, have become the very building blocks of our existence.
Deconstructing the Alphabet
At the heart of Cwynar's exhibition is her unique take on the alphabet. She has developed an ABC of visual culture, where each letter represents a keyword drawn from internet trends and her personal search history. For instance, 'A' stands for 'apple,' not the fruit but the tech giant, reflecting the dominance of technology in our lives.
Under each letter, Cwynar presents a collection of studio photographs, video clips, and found images, creating a visual narrative that is both personal and thought-provoking. For instance, 'Youth' showcases expressionless models, a critique of the fashion industry's portrayal of youth, while 'Zoo' presents a chaotic collection of parliamentarian brawls, a metaphor for the state of politics today.
What makes Cwynar's alphabet particularly fascinating is its subjectivity. She acknowledges that her findings are not objective but rather a reflection of her own idiosyncrasies and experiences. This adds a layer of depth and invites viewers to question their own biases and perceptions.
The Power of Images
As visitors navigate through the installation, they are immersed in a world where photography is not just a medium but a powerful construct. Cwynar's work highlights how images, carefully composed and curated, can shape our actions and guide our thoughts.
The second-floor gallery, wallpapered with massive photographs, drives this point home. From billowing clouds to Pamela Anderson's iconic face, every surface is covered, creating a sensory overload. It's a powerful reminder that images have become the bricks of our reality, influencing our thoughts and desires.
Behind the Scenes
Curator Rui Mateus Amaral describes Cwynar's work as a tour through the factory where images are made. He compares the repetitive process of assembling the wallpaper to the assembly lines of the past, emphasizing the human element in image creation.
Cwynar's practice reveals both the front and back of the image-making process. Her work showcases how photographs are constructed, pieced together, and manipulated, often by multiple hands. It's a fascinating insight into the intricate process behind the seemingly effortless images we consume daily.
A Narcotized Dream Sequence
The exhibition's namesake, "Baby Blue Benzo," is a landmark video by Cwynar. It's a surreal dream sequence that blends fantasy and essay, featuring a unique cast of characters, including a figure skating pit crew and the iconic Pamela Anderson.
The video revolves around a symbol of extreme wealth, a €135 million Mercedes-Benz, and benzodiazepines, a class of central nervous system depressants. The narrator describes how these two seemingly unrelated elements are connected by the power of images and consumer culture. It's a critique of how images can manipulate our desires and perceptions, creating a sense of chronic foreboding that is simultaneously soothing.
The Sontagian Idea
Cwynar's work echoes the ideas of Susan Sontag, who famously stated, "Capitalism needs images to sell its wares." Cwynar's photographs allure and entice, but they also recognize the allure's power over us. She acknowledges the irony of being "stuck in the same cycles" she critiques, as social media creates an illusion of attainability.
"These things are further away than they've ever been," Cwynar says, "but because we have so many pictures of them, they feel so close."
Conclusion
Sara Cwynar's exhibition is a powerful reminder of the impact visual culture has on our lives. It challenges us to question the images we consume, to recognize their power, and to understand how they shape our reality. In an era of infinite scrolling, Cwynar's work is a much-needed wake-up call, inviting us to reflect on the role of images in our lives and the world around us.
