Nina Davies Probes Into the Friction Between Humanity and Technology in ‘Becoming the Edit'
On view at Seventeen Gallery in London.
East London’s Seventeen Gallery is showcasing a new solo exhibition by rising British-Canadian artist Nina Davies. Through audio, sculpture, film and installation, Davies interrogates the present moment and how popular dance both germinates and is consumed across the world.
Becoming the Edit couldn’t come at a more poignant time, as the ability to immerse oneself in the digital world has never been more of a reality. One of the centerpieces in the show is a nine-minute video dubbed Haters will say I’m real (2024), which showcases two unseen speakers set in a fictional near future discussing changes in the legal system and how it has resulted in ethical consequences regarding the reclaiming of image rights. The two performers proceed in twirling their phones around their body in a series of “edits” that mimicry real offline editing.
Surrounding the space is Bystander Assembly (2024), a series of commercially available objects that monitor visitors’ movements as a commentary on the myriad surveillance systems that track people’s physical and online interactions. “Nina’s practice is characterized by her examination of friction where technology and its users interact, notably the user’s relationship with data and their image, all with a particular and unique focus on movement and dance,” wrote Seveneen in a release. “Her use of speculative fiction invites the viewer (or listener) into a hypothetical near future where we might think through the ramifications of the systems we are collectively fuelling and building today.”
The exhibition is on view until July 6, 2024. Complementing the show is a series of live performances at 2:30pm daily, which expands on the film and objects on view.
Seventeen
270-276 Kingsland Road
London E8 4DG
