Sisyphus In Retrograde

Sisyphus In Retrograde is a seven part podcast series exploring the ideas behind the exhibition curated by Gabriella Sonabend & Aindrea Emelife featuring artists Sol Bailey-Barker, Evy Jokhova, Adeline De Monseignat, Nissa Nishikawa and Harrison Pearce.

​

The exhibition Sisyphus in Retrograde, presented the works of 5 contemporary artists whose practices reference ancient knowledge and incorporate the activation of sculpture through performance, kinetics and sound. Questioning the symbolism of materials and forms, these artists are linked by their fascination with the ritual object, the point of tension before collapse and the transfiguration of physical forms through the activation of sound, movement and touch. Together they pose questions about possible futures and sustainability within culture and environment.

​

Like Sisyphus eternally pushing his boulder uphill, these artists return repeatedly to their subject matter posing questions about how we can use ancient knowledge to develop sustainably in light of the imminent environmental crisis of the era of the anthrophocene. Perhaps posing another question, is human activity as the dominant force progressive, will we save ourselves, or are we in retrograde?

​

Commissioned by London Curatorial

​

Produced & Recorded by Merlin Nova