Misbehaving Machines
Digital Artist brings Humour and Mischief to
The Dowse
The Dowse Art Museum is hosting the first survey exhibition of one of New Zealand’s leading digital artists, Sean Kerr. Auckland-based Kerr is delighted to be returning to Lower Hutt, where he grew up and attended Wainuiomata College in the 1980s. The cheeky title of the show, Bruce danced if Victoria sang, and Victoria sang; so Bruce danced, hints at the comic nature of Kerr’s work which often employs slapstick to explore contemporary social trends and technologies. Bruce danced opens 19th March and runs until 29th May.
“Sean Kerr is a leader in new media art and is at the forefront of developing whole new forms of art. He gives his machines and objects personalities and through engaging with them we can reflect upon and reconsider our own social behaviours.” says curator Emma Bugden.
For Bruce danced, Sean looks back to recreate previous works, exploiting the juxtaposition of past and present. Reinventing his work from through the period 2010-2000, Sean refuses to be fixed in time. His menagerie includes an inflatable finger which deflates as you approach it, a sneezing computer, a giant nose, a ghost that follows you around, a sub woofer fart and a thing stuck inside a locker trying to escape.
Sean Kerr lives in Auckland where he has taught at Elam School of Fine Arts since 2002 and is represented by Michael Lett. He has developed significant projects for City Gallery, Wellington, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, Seoul Biennale, Seoul Museum of Art, SCAPE Biennial, Christchurch, the Govett Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth and for the 17th Biennale of Sydney at Artspace (Sydney). This exhibition and publication is supported by a National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI) Research Development Fund, The University of Auckland. Bruce danced comes to Wellington following a popular season at Artspace and the Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland.
Media Enquiries: Rachel Healy, Communications Manager. T: 04 560 1477, 0274 610 271. E: rachel.healy@huttcity.govt.nz