Curator: Bogomir Doringer Artists: Lena Kuzmich, Alli Coates + Signe Pierce, CROSSLUCID, Mamali Shafahi, Rachel Maclean Since we first caught sight of our reflections in still, dark waters, we started chasing self-image - driving us to refine the technologies we use to do so. At each step of this evolution, from silver-nitrate mirrors; to explosive flash powders and today’s one-eyed “selfie” cameras, new fables have emerged. These tales speak to the fragility of humanity and the fluidity of its values - each new reflecting pool becoming a site to question and play, or a means to entertain and bully guests at festivities. Mirrors - from those inhabiting the luxury salon to those in our linted pockets, each carry their own functions and emerging fairytales. As new technologies create new opportunities to distort, beautify or otherwise adjust ourselves, in pursuit of self-knowledge, we become the protagonist of our own fantasies. Face filters engage us in a new daily ritual: the timeless ritual of masking - today, these rituals take place in front of our phones. Through the screens of our phones we challenge binary structures and experience the prism of the self - while we train exploitative algorithms for ambitious startups, the development of neural networks and Artificial Intelligence. With every technological development, a slice of fiction becomes a reality. These fictions are a state of identity that emerges temporarily as we pursue freedom of movement and expression. Along the way, this occupation with ourselves generates new stories to immerse ourselves within. The exhibition Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who’s the Fairest of Them All? is a follow-up on research that Doringer has conducted on the ritual of masking (2007-2018) known under the title FACELESS. Image credits: ‘upside mimi ᴉɯᴉɯ uʍop’, Rachel Maclean, 2021, Digital video still. Commissioned by Jupiter Artland Text: Bogomir Doringer and Matthew Scoubi
3 Feb 2023
Opening Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who's the Fairest of Them All?

Looking for oneself has been a journey throughout history. In this quest, humankind has used various technologies, from dark reflective water and luxury mirrors on walls, to the screens on our phones. We have created myths and fairytales around these mirrors, delivering warnings about fragile humanity and its values. Mirrors have also been used to entertain drunk guests or laugh at (bully) them at public celebrations.

Today, an object that reflects a “clear” image of oneself is the screen of our phones. The hidden and fast-evolving cameras behind those screens now show us our clear, distorted, adjusted and beautified faces – the protagonists of contemporary fairytales. With face filters on a daily basis, we are engaged in a ritual of masking in front of our phones, challenging binary structures, and experiencing another self. All while feeding into exploitative social media production, ambitious startups and AI development. With every technological development, a slice of fiction becomes a reality. Fiction is a temporary state of identity searching for freedom of movement and expression. While being occupied with ourselves, new fairytales are being produced.

03 Feb: 20:00
Garage Rotterdam
9 Feb 2023
Art Rotterdam afterparty

On Thursday evening 9 February at 20.00, the Art Rotterdam afterparty will take place at Garage Rotterdam. We will usher in the evening with music, art and a tour of the current exhibition Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who’s the Fairest of Them All? by curator Bogomir Doringer. Free entry!

09 Feb: 20:30
Garage Rotterdam
4 Mar 2023
Brandstof x Museumnacht 010

Brandstof is a recurring public programme including lectures, talks, music and performances, to dive into the theme of Garage Rotterdam’s exhibitions. During Brandstof on Saturday the 4th of March, Garage Rotterdam and Museumnacht 010 will join forces. This special edition of Brandstof, curated by Bogomir Doringer, will focus entirely on the theme of his current exhibition Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who’s the Fairest of Them All?

During the evening, the artists Natalia Kharetskaya and Zalán Szakács will perform together.

Natalia Kharetskaya is a Lithuanian-born vocalist, composer and producer. Her performance Cosmic Bride pushes the boundaries of a concert experience by using movement-based control systems, altering the sounds of the string quartet and voice. With wearable sensor technology, movement becomes a musical instrument and a new dynamic expression.

“The possibilities to tell stories through unique materiality of immersive audio are awe-inspiring – it elevates the experience with the sensation of being in orbit around the voice of the performer and takes the listener into a literally spatial adventure.”

Zalán Szakács created the scenography of the Cosmic Bride performance. He uses volumetric projection techniques inspired by his ongoing research into expanded cinema. Geometric shapes become spatial as they transform the gallery space into an immersive environment. Based on Cosmic Bride’s sounds, the light beam will be triggered, changing its colour, speed, and opacity. The scenography creates an immaterial space, as the light creates a veil between the performer and the audience.

Get your tickets for Museumnacht 010 via www.museumnacht010.nl

04 Mar: 20:00
Garage Rotterdam
18 - 19 Mar 2023
Art Central Rotterdam XL

We are excited to share that Garage Rotterdam is joining Art Central Rotterdam XL on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March, including our participation in its central exhibition at Baanhof.

Art Central Rotterdam XL will shine a light on contemporary art and culture in the city of Rotterdam. A cultural event in which 30 Rotterdam-based art spaces and institutions open their doors for free. Drop by to see the exhibition Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who’s the Fairest of Them All? by curator Bogomir Doringer.

To highlight the presence and connection between all the players in the Rotterdam art scene, the central exhibition at Baanhof “SUBJECT:TRANSITION” curated by Anna Buyvid, will be a collection of artworks out of the 30 art spaces. The exhibition aims to reflect on transitions in the broadest sense.

“SUBJECT:TRANSITION” at Baanhof opens on Friday 17 March at 8 PM. The exhibition will be on show every Saturday and Sunday from 12 – 8 PM until 10 April 2023.

Read more about Art Central XL via www.artcentralrotterdam.nl

18 - 19 Mar 2023
18 Mar: 12:00
Garage Rotterdam
7 Apr 2023
Natafelen: fine dining among art

Enjoy a vegetarian four-course menu accompanied by a delicious wine arrangement in our exhibition space. During this edition of Natafelen, you will be seated together with the curator and artist of the exhibition Screen, Screen on my Phone, Who’s the Fairest of Them All?

Four course menu | €50,00
Wine pairing | €30,00

Reserve your spot at the dinner table by sending an email to info@garagerotterdam.nl

07 Apr: 18:00
Garage Rotterdam