The Future is Not What it Used To Be at LeBasse

LeBasse Projects Presents: The Future Is Not What It Used To Be
Group exhibition curated by Mike Stilkey
Date: October 8th – November 10th 2011
Location: LBP Culver City: 6023 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Artist reception: Saturday, October 8th, 6-9p
Website: www.lebasseprojects.com
ʻThe Future Is Not What It Used To Beʼ is the upcoming exhibition at LeBasse Project marking a first curatorial effort of Mike Stilkey, a represented artist at the gallery. The title of the show for this group exhibition was inspired by a quote from the French poet Paul Valery – "The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be". Taken by this idea Stilkey shapes his vision for the exhibition:

“Our vision of the future is that society will evolve and progress and our situation will improve. As you get older you realize that these things often do not turn out the way you expected. I think this is especially relevant at this time, with global concerns and anxiety around climate change, economic and financial crises, environmental destruction, etc. When I was a kid, I thought that in 30 years I'd be flying around in a Jetson's car, not worrying about global warming and widespread extinction of species.” – says Stilkey.

Artists invited to participate include: Kelsey Brookes, Brian Dettmer, Katrin Fridriks, Jim Houser, Dave Kinsey, Ryan McLennan, Cleon Peterson, Dena Shuckit, Aaron Smith, Tara Tucker and Mike Stilkey. The nature of their work and how it resonated with curator's own vision of the future helped with the selection.

Image above is work of Katrin Fridriks.