The exhibition "Anima Atman" at Max Goelitz in Berlin marks a significant moment in the exploration of contemporary art through the lens of Troika, a London-based art collective known for their rigorous interrogation of the boundaries between the virtual and the material.
This show, their first solo exhibition in Germany, unfolds a complex narrative that weaves together ecological concerns, technological critique, and a philosophical investigation into the essence of consciousness and existence.
At the heart of the exhibition is the eponymous installation, "Anima Atman," where Troika delves into the hypothesis that plant life, specifically thistles, possesses a form of intelligence and conscious awareness. This installation, featuring thistles emerging from a bed of shimmering silicon rocks under an ethereal light, creates a landscape that is both alien and intimately familiar. The movement of these plants, slow and deliberate, challenges our perceptions of animation and vitality, blurring the lines between the organic and the inorganic.
This theme of challenging perceptions is echoed throughout the other works in the exhibition. In "Obsolete Landscapes," Troika critiques the commodification of natural landscapes through technology, specifically through the lens of Apple Inc.’s desktop backgrounds. By erasing the landscapes from these images, Troika not only highlights the transient and often overlooked nature of these digital facades but also comments on the deeper impact of technological advancement on natural environments. This series serves as a poignant reminder of how technology shapes our understanding and engagement with the natural world, reducing vast landscapes to mere backdrops for our digital interfaces.
Another significant work, "Evolutionary Composite," links the ancient with the contemporary by juxtaposing flint hand axes with silicon wafers. This pairing is emblematic of human technological evolution, from basic tools to complex computing technologies. Troika here explores the materiality of technology, tracing its origins back to the natural elements, and invites the viewer to contemplate the cyclical nature of invention and its impacts on human civilization.
Lastly, the series "Irma Watched Over by Machines" presents a gripping visual narrative of Hurricane Irma as captured by surveillance cameras. By transforming these images into painterly compositions, Troika engages with the tension between the objective recording of catastrophic events and the subjective human experience of these events. This series provokes a reflection on the role of technology in mediating our experiences and memories of environmental and societal impacts.
Together, these works create a multi-layered dialogue about our interaction with and understanding of the world around us. Troika's "Anima Atman" challenges viewers to reconsider the definitions of life and intelligence, the impact of technology on natural and digital landscapes, and the complex interplay between human creation and natural existence.
