Tony Oursler Hypnosis (and other states)

December 18 – April 30

Zifergauz presents the first major solo exhibition of Tony Oursler, one of the most important video artists of the recent decades, on the New Holland Island in St. Petersburg. The exhibition Hypnosis (and other states) spans works by Tony Oursler from the last 25 years. The central theme of the exhibition is rethinking the representation of hypnosis in art - via engaging with technology and media, via daydreaming, via revisiting the research of sleep and hypnosis by I. Pavlov, whose practice was closely related to St.Petersburg. This theme echoes both in Oursler’s older and newer works, creating a thread-like trail throughout the whole exhibition. Through multiple projections, Tony Oursler creates a mesmerizing and enveloping environment, featuring close-ups of human eyes, images from pop culture and video collages, which all have a hypnotizing effect on the individual.

Tony Oursler is known as “the father of video sculpture”, Oursler explores the psychological and social relationships between individuals and visual technologies, constructing phantasmagorical video tales and centering on our physical attraction to light sources. Applying humor and irony to his wide range of work, the artist hones in on the effects of media on human consciousness. For over 40 years Tony Oursler analyzed the phenomena of how humanity perceives narratives and video sequences, the way the audience interacts with technology. The viewer’s relationship with the work is crucial for the artist - eroding boundaries between art, technology and the everyday.

The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 21:00. Admission is free, but please register in advance. Limited number of places available. Please keep your distance, wear a mask, and stay home if you have any signs of illness.