Shaw, Jeremy Representative Measurements Dimensions variable Black light silkscreen posters with UV lights 2008 Courtesy of the artist
What do you think about when you think of black light? The UV lamps favoured by 1960s psychedelic culture, then later on in Goth clubs and more recently, in a reversal of its use as a representation of hallucinogenic drugs, as a means to discourage junkies from finding their veins in public washrooms.
The show ‘The Dark Cube’ at Palais de Tokyo, curated by Francesca Gavin, exploits the UV effect by showing paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures in darkness, illuminated only by ultraviolet lamps. Alongside references to failed rebellion, this group exhibition touches on wider ideas around illumination and darkness, veiling and unveiling. It also aims to demonstrate the relationship of contemporary ideas and aesthetics with defunct or less used forms of technology.
The Dark Cube is also a response to the cavernous nature of the Palais de Tokyo, and switches the normal viewing experience under day or white light on its head; the exhibition space becomes an X-ray of the white cube.
Participating artists:
Juliette Bonneviot / Harry Burden / Antoine Catala / Anne de Vries / Jeremy Deller / Thomas Dozol / Oliver Laric / Clunie Reid / Ben Sansbury / Jeremy Shaw / Kasper Sonne / Scott Treleaven
THE DARK CUBE, curated by Francesca Gavin Palais de Tokyo October 6 – 15 2012