Cyborg Hybrids in Brandon, MB. (Click on images on the right to see larger views of work)
Transcendence – cyborg hybrida genitalis humanitas
Artist: KC Adams
Guest curator: Cathy Mattes
Dates: August 31 – October 14,2006
Opening reception: September 7, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
Artist talk: September 7, 2006 @ 8:00 pm
*** PUBLICATION AVAILABLE SOON ***
In the exhibition
Transcendence – cyborg hybrida genitalis humanitas KC Adams challenges
stereotypical views towards mixed race categorization, examines the relationship
between nature and technology, and explores concepts of identity and community.
In the digitally altered photo series Cyborg Hybrids Adams presents artists
of Aboriginal and European ancestry she met across Canada (including Brandon)
who are forward thinkers and plugged in with technology. They follow the doctrine
of Donna Harroway’s Cyborg Manifesto that suggests a cyborg is a creature
in a technological, post-gender world free of traditional western stereotypes
towards race and gender. Adams presents the artists wearing slogans on white
t-shirts that illustrate common Aboriginal stereotypical thought, such as]“Authority
on all Aboriginal Issues”, or “Dirty Little Indian”. However,
the defiant expressions of the artists in the air-brushed glamour shots challenge
viewers to culturally locate them as anything other than as a cyborg hybrid.
These artists do not allow the slogans on their t-shirts to define them, and
their captured strength exposes the ridiculousness of common stereotypes.
In the untitled
installation that is part of the exhibition, translucent sculptural pieces combine
natural and technological elements that reflect a spiritual source of energy.
This installation continues Adams exploration of identity, as spirituality is
an aspect of self. With both works she
effectively searches for community(ies) that is]“not based on the model
of the organic family.” The result is an exhibition that reflects a personal,
spiritual and collective-based transcendence that moves from exploration to
reflection and affirmation.
Biography: A graduate of Concordia University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts’
program, KC Adams has had several solo exhibitions, most recently Cyborg Hybrids
at the Confederation Art Gallery in Charolettetown, PE (2006), and Cyborg Living
at The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto (2005). She has been featured
in numerous group exhibitions, including a performance intervention called CAP
at the Platform Gallery in Winnipeg (2005), and Cyborg Living Space II, in The
Language of Intercession at the OBORO Gallery in Montreal (2005). Adams maintains
her own website at www.kcadams.net showcasing her work and flash art projects.
She has participated in residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Confederation
Art Centre in Charlottetown and the Annex Gallery in Winnipeg. Her many community
activities include consulting for the creation of a National Aboriginal Art
Gallery in Vancouver in 2005, serving as president of the Board of Directors
of Ace Art in Winnipeg from 2000 to 2004 and currently serving on the Manitoba
Arts Council Arts Advisory Panel. She has received several grants and awards
from Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council and Canada Council for the
Arts. She continues to live and work in Winnipeg.
The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba
710 Rosser Avenue,
Unit 2, Brandon, MB, R7A 0K9 Tel: (204) 727-1036, Fax: (204) 726-8139, Email:
info@agsm.ca
For more information please contact Jenny Western @ (204) 727-1036.
Cyborg Hybrids Brandon - Exhibition Schedule
August 31 - October 14, 2006 - Solo Exhibtion Transcendence – cyborg hybrida genitalis humanitas, with Cyborg Hybrids (Banff, Charlottetown, Winnipeg & Brandon Series) at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB