While We Were Away

Feb 5, 2013

San Francisco

The contemporary art market has become increasingly borderless as artists across the globe gain recognition, and with it, opportunities to bring their work far from their own hometowns. This has changed not just the role and impact of art, but the individuals behind it who have the chance to incorporate a wider scope of influences into their artistic framework.

In 2009, TATE curator Nicolas Bourriaud proposed a hypothetical end of postmodernism and introduced a new period with his exhibition Altermodernity. The opening of Bourriaud’s manifesto reads, “A new modernity is emerging, reconfigured to an age of globalization – understood in its economic, political and cultural aspects: an altermodern culture. Increased communication, travel and migration are affecting the way we live. Our daily lives consist of journeys in a chaotic and teeming universe.” This passage speaks to the development that inspired While We Were Away, but Lobatz‘ fascination is with the indelible way these experiences of traveling, in countries not your own, places outside one’s comfortable routine or familiar language, inspire artists‘ identity and creative drive. Frequent travel presents a new context to view the world in and a myriad of inspiration, but it also requires the sacrifice of consistency, and can stand in the way of personal relationships. It is all these complications that Lobatz has asked the artists for While We Were Away to give us a glimpse into.

The artists featured – Miss Van, Amanda Marie, How and Nosm, Poesia, Sten Lex, Scott Shannon, Jaybo Monk, Hebru Brantley, Julio Pardo and Chanoir – display the vast talent that can be seen in cities around the world today, from pioneering street art in Toulouse to photography in Barcelona. With an engaging installation of personal memorabilia collected from every participant, Lobatz asks viewers to reflect on how travel has shaped the process and perspective of each chosen artist, and seeks to establish a new precedence of candor in artist exhibitions.

941 Geary

January 19 – March 02, 2013
941 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
USA

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