Sigh-Fi: UALR Hosts a Transformative Group Exhibition

WORDS / KASTEN McCLELLAN SEARLESOn the surface, the role of science fiction (in its many forms) has often been to present us with a world of advanced technology that makes nearly any storyline possible. “Sigh-Fi” is instead an exploration of the real frustration that occurs when humans interact with that technology. The results are less than utopian.UALR Gallery I has been transformed by architectural forms and populated by video installations, paintings, and sculptural work. The group exhibition curated by Haynes Riley of Good Weather features works from Hartmut Austen, Aaron Jones, Lap Le, Anne Libby, Sondra Perry, Martine Syms, and Tan Zich.

Aaron Jones’ wooden chapel-like structures are both grand in scale and unassuming in material form. The bare wooden structures house two video installations by Sondra Perry. Perry’s installations are mounted on exercise machines and invite close viewing. In the video piece “Graft and Ash for a Three Monitor Workstation” viewers climb onto an exercise bike and sit eye to eye with a computer animated figure. While a viewer may enter the piece hoping for an introduction or guidance from the strange animated figure, they will instead be presented with a new level of uncertainty. In a winding monologue, the figure discusses findings on the health consequences of perceived discrimination, among other things. The work (with its uncomfortably close viewing distance) cultivates a feeling of intimacy that is simultaneously broken by our knowledge that we have no input in this experience. The work seems to invite interaction, but will never respond to it.

Hartmut Austen’s oil paintings reveal unusual structures, towers, and figures in space suits, but as paintings they are less monumental than their subjects would suggest. Austen’s works balance these complex forms with a simplicity of mark and color, forcing us to imagine more than is described. These compositions hint at complexity while remaining simplified, lovely studies of form.

Ultimately “Sigh-Fi” is an exploration of the space where our ideas and dreams of technology are at odds with our expectations, desires, and human nature. Though this space can be a cause of frustration, it can also help us better understand ourselves.

“Sigh-Fi” is on display in UALR Gallery I until March 3rd.