Josh Kline’s “Social Media” explores the way bodies become fragmented by the precarity of the labor conditions in the digital age. His works are visceral reflections of the present moment in time.
Life sized reproductions of human limbs are juxtaposed with office objects such as keyboards, computer chairs and cell phones, wrapped with the packaging of major e-commerce companies, images of bank statements, and credit cards. Hollowed out, the limbs bleed with social media apps and credit card statements. The fragmented body parts are adorned with workwear such as boots, denim and trucker hats – the typical attire of the e-commerce worker.
Klein compares blue-collar workers to the identities of artists and creators. Presented in an objective and sterile way as static, utilitarian objects, the sculptures are carefully laid atop tables, in cubicle-like white rooms. The viewer is a witness to the figurative crime scene of dismemberment. Each work is separated by an enclosed wall, creating a feeling of anticipation as the viewer continues throughout the exhibit, not fully knowing what scene to expect next, such as a life-sized recreation of the artist’s body wrapped in plastic. “Social Media” reflects on how the ubiquity of monetary value affects the way workers perceive themselves, newly intertwined with the use of the body as a commodity in the digital sphere.
- Ekaterina Maisheva #
I appreciate your describing the objects in the exhibition, as it explains the connection between labor and the digital age. The imagery of body parts mixed with office objects, e-commerce packaging, and financial documents is powerful. It helps convey the idea of the body as a commodity in the digital world. You could comment on how the exhibit makes the viewer feel. For example, does the sterile, like setting or fragmented body parts, create a feeling of unease, discomfort, or even isolation? How could the viewer reflect on their role in this digital society? Overall, your review captures the main ideas well and provides a solid understanding of the exhibition!
ReplyDeleteYou do a really good job of capturing the feeling of the exhibition by describing the visual components and what they symbolize. While explaining how that comes across to the viewer. However, all of your wording is very neutral, which gives a great summary of the show, but I am curious how you felt about the work. Do you think the message was strong or weak, do you think the molds were well done?
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