Exhibition Perpetual Uncertainty

Perpetual Uncertainty is an exploration of contemporary art in the nuclear anthropocene. The exhibition brings together international artists from across Europe, the USA and Japan to investigate experiences of nuclear technology, radiation and the complex relationship between knowledge and deep time.

David Mabb: A Provisional Memorial to Nuclear Disarmament (2015). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
David Mabb: A Provisional Memorial to Nuclear Disarmament (2015). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.

The nuclear anthropocene describes how man-made radiation has contaminated the earth, forming a mark of human activity that will last for hundreds of thousands of years. Whilst 20th century fallout provides a time-stamp of the first nuclear age from nuclear weapons testing; the 21st century repositories for high-level radioactive waste will physically create a new geologic layer in the earth’s fossil record for over 100,000 years. Looking beyond the modernist vision of a utopian nuclear age, contemporary artists are engaging with the lived experience of radiation through nuclear objects, architectures and landscapes. Investigating new forms of nuclear vernacular, folklore and rethinking the markers and archives of the nuclear anthropocene.

A larger program on Nuclear Culture activities will accompany the exhibition, including field trips to nuclear sites with artists, and a roundtable discussion bringing together different experiences and approaches to nuclear aesthetics and politics.

Participating artists: James Acord, Shuji Akagi, Lise Autogena and Joshua Portway, Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson, Finger Pointing Worker, Dave Griffiths, Isao Hashimoto, Erika Kobayashi, David MabbCécile Massart, Eva and Franco Mattes, Yelena Popova, Susan Schuppli, Shimpei Takeda, Kota Takeuchi, Thomson & Craighead, Suzanne Treister, Andy Weir, Robert Williams and Bryan McGovern Wilson, and Ken + Julia Yonetani.

Shuj Akagi: Fukushima Traces. Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Shuj Akagi: Fukushima Traces. Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Shimpei Takeda: Trace (2011). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Shimpei Takeda: Trace (2011). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Dave Griffiths: Deep Field (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Dave Griffiths: Deep Field (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Dave Griffiths: Deep Field (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Dave Griffiths: Deep Field (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Robert Williams & Bryan McGovern Wilson: Cumbrian Alchemy (2013). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Robert Williams & Bryan McGovern Wilson: Cumbrian Alchemy (2013). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Ken & Julia Yonetani: Crystal Palace – The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nuclear Nations (2013). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Ken & Julia Yonetani: Crystal Palace – The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nuclear Nations (2013). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Cécile Massart: Laboratoires. Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Cécile Massart: Laboratoires. Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Cécile Massart: Colours of Danger for Belgian High Level Radioactive Waste (2017). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Cécile Massart: Colours of Danger for Belgian High Level Radioactive Waste (2017). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Lise Autogena & Joshua Portway: Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Lise Autogena & Joshua Portway: Kuannersuit / Kvanefjeld (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Lise Autogena & Joshua Portway: Kvanefjeld (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.
Lise Autogena & Joshua Portway: Kvanefjeld (2016). Perpetual Uncertainty, Z33 House for Contemporary Art, 17 September–10 December 2017. © Kristof Vrancken / Z33.

 

Published on

03.10.2017

Bio

Production exhibition
Bildmuseet, Umeå

Curator
Ele Carpenter

With support of
Z33 House for Contemporary Art, Hasselt
Arts Catalyst, London