Future Shock at 180 The Strand

future shock exhibition 180 strand Vigil by Caterina Barbieri — Vigil by Caterina Barbieri

Re-imagining a new world of space and future through sound and vision to challenge our preconceptions is how this Future Shock exhibition is described. Future Shock has transformed the space at 180 studios into a digital world filled with immersive digital technology by international artists – from generative and interactive algorithms, AI and 3D digital mapping, to spellbinding laser work, holographic projections and groundbreaking electronic music.

There is a one-way route guided tour with arrows on the floor that you follow, directing you through the different installations starting with Ryoichi Kurokawa’s Subassemblies and ending with Hamill Industries’ Vortex. The installations vary from short films to projections to lasers. You’ll see how some artists utilise the space of the room to see from different perspectives whilst others can be more thought provoking or plays to your senses.

future shock exhibition 180 strand ROW by Tundra — ROW by Tundra

Artist lineup:
UVA
Caterina Barbieri
Weirdcore
Ryoichi Kurokawa
Gener8ion
Nonotak
Actual Objects
Gaika
IB Kamara
Hamill Industries
Lawrence Lek
Ben Kelly
Tundra
Object Blue &
Natalia Podgorska
Ibby Njoya

I’m not going to go through or show each of the artist’s work otherwise it would be a long post and I don’t want to spoil the entire exhibition. As always, it is recommended to visit it in person as the camera isn’t able to capture everything and doesn’t give the same, true impression.

future shock exhibition 180 strand Vicky by Actual Objects — Vicky by Actual Objects

Coming from a STEM background and with an interest in the arts, I loved this. Not only do I look at these installations through a visual perspective, but I do also delve deeper into behind the scenes; wondering what technology they’ve integrated, the algorithms, AI etc. The little geek inside of me was coming out.

There were a few memorable installations like Vigil by Caterina Barbieri (yes, that is actually a block of ice, melting with an actual puddle beneath it and I have many questions about this), ROW by Tundra and Vortex by Hamill Industries. I would say, these three specifically were my favourite out of the entire exhibition.

It is open until the 28th August and considering it’s nearly mid-August at the time of posting, I do recommend you all to see this Future Shock exhibition before it finishes if you’re interested in digital art.