ARTiculAction
21358SMart (The Netherlands / France) an artist’s statement
It was at the end of December 2012, in a social context fueled by doubts about the end of the world, that we met each other by accident on the internet. Looking back, that episode marked the beginning of our collaboration and we saw it as a new start. It was clear to us that we both use the same creative language, and our influences show that correlation. We are both interested in art movements like Abstract Expressionism, Informal Art and Cubism. Also Dada, Gestural Art and Neo Expressionism have an impact on the works we create. Since we met each other through modern technology, we often implement this in our way of working together from a distance. This means that for creating new images, we make frequent use of the modern technologies available to us, such as the computer, a scanner, Skype, et cetera. In addition to this, we also work traditionally, creating paintings, drawings and photography. It is a mark of our wide interest in expressing ourselves through varied styles. At first, our project was an experiment based on telepathic communication, without using any of our known sensory channels or physical interaction. After a while the project slowly evolved into a mutual consciousness about the effect that modern communication tools -like social media- have on our society. The fact that we met through a social media site gave us the opportunity to see what the strengths and the weaknesses of this kind of tools are. We use the tools of our time to testify of that current individuality, where everybody tries to connect with the wide world from behind their computer screens. In the end we are often alone, even if we think we have thousands of friends around the world. 21358SMart can be seen as our study and reaction to a society that is often based on individual thinking. By working together from a distance we noticed that our works are subjected to the phenomenon of culturation and deculturation. By combining our artistic voices we are pushed to think not only for ourselves anymore, like we often do with our computers or smartphones. Often we exchange visual messages. Sander Steins & Marijah Bac Cam
Paper Mmm Mmm, from the Hybrid SMS Remix Series 100 x 70 cm Hybrid
www.21358smart.com
2013, Š 21358SMart
info@21358smart.com
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