Futura

New York City

The exhibition, Future Shock, is a shout-out to the 1970 book by Alvin Toffler about the destabilizing effect of technology on society. Futura read the book in high school and was deeply affected by its dystopian prophecies, he had already changed his name from Leonard McGurr to Futura 2000 and Toffler’s book only solidified his fascination with the nature and acceleration of time. During these teenage years, Futura was “bombing” subway cars with graffiti as they snaked their way through the city.

Futura made a significant leap to the canvas in 1980, and in 1981 he toured with The Clash, painting live on stage as they performed throughout Europe. In 1983 Futura collaborated with Mike Jones (The Clash) writing and singing the lyrics to ‚The Escapades of Futura 2000′, a track that articulated his artistc manifesto at the time, proclaiming: “I guess I must admire—the need to set things on fire.” Futura has been active ever since, probing perceptions of public and private space, and transcending the barriers between street, commercial and fine art.

Valmorbida

September 6th – October 5th, 2012
560 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014
USA

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