Under titles like 'New World Order', 'Overflow' and 'Perfect From Now On', Mir, whose background is in anthropology, creates imaginary but logical scenes, juxtaposing cheesy publicity style shots of figures alone, or in family groups, placing them in desolate, environmentally-ravaged landscapes, or in mystical imaginary ones, with the sinister intrigue of a Grimm Brothers' fairy story.
His figures, supremely well painted, appear like something between a tourist campaign and Dorothea Lange’s photographs of poor American families during the Depression. They are isolated yet accepting, aware of what’s going on around them, yet passive.
Mir garnishes his paintings with mythical figures, high-tech machinery and futuristic buildings, no one subject matter taking precedence. He reflects on our confused vision of reality, contorted by media imagery and advertising, yes, but mostly by our own addiction to fantasy, our inability to accept the facts or learn from the past; our belief that discovering something ‘new’ will cancel out all past mistakes.
Practical info:
Until 25th July
Gallery Senda
Consell de Cent 337
Liked this? Read Alex's review of another current exhibition 'Hiding in the City' here
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