Slow Future

“Slow Future” at the Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle is devoted to degrowth, a social movement that promotes the abandonment of compulsory economic growth.

The theme of the exhibition “Slow Future” is degrowth, a social movement advocating that we should abandon the current model of compulsory economic growth and search for ways to improve the quality of life within the limits of capacity of natural environment.

The promoters of degrowth, also known as degrowthists, question the supreme value of material possessions and propose alternative models of economy – barter, cooperatives, co-ownership, and community exchange. According to them, it is mistaken to think that economic growth is indispensable for development and that it is the most important goal that everyone should pursue.

Supporters of the idea of degrowth believe that it is precisely unrestrained consumption that aggravates social inequalities, not to mention irreversible damage to natural environment. Through their lifestyles, they are trying to oppose the universal pursuit of growth (in development and in economics), which according to them, creates far more social harm than objective benefits. In order to cut down consumption, we don’t have to make sacrifices or reduce our quality of life. It would be enough to use alternative means and methods at a larger scale, such as: recycling, green transport, converting deserted buildings into flats; and finally – to engage local organizations in decision-making processes relating to changes in public space. In times of economic crisis, such concepts become highly appreciated and inspire artists from all over the world.

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Bianca Bondi, A Sudden Stir and Hope in The Lungs, 2014. Installation, salt, salt crystals, copper. Courtesy of the artist

Left: Mariele Neudecker, There Is Always Something More Important, 2012, fiberglass, colorant, plywood; two-channel-video on two 10,2 in. monitors; Edition 2 of 3. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin & Thomas Rehbein Galerie, Cologne / Arts Council of England & Altana Kulturstiftung GmbH Bad Homburg. Right: Ingrid Wildi Merino, Another Look at The Insignificant, 1998 - 2014, 25 photographs with text 30 x 40 cm. Courtesy of the artist. Authors of the photographs: Marianne Müller and Ingrid Wildi Merino, © Ingrid Wildi Merino, 2014

Patrick Hamilton, Intersection: Six Copper Diamonds, 2014. Installation. Copper plated spikes wall protections. Courtesy of the artist and Baro Gallery, Sao Paulo

David Zink Yi, The Strangers, 2014, Two-channel video and sound. Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth, London, New York, Zurich / Johann Koenig, Berlin / 80M2 Livia Benavides, Lima

Ella de Burca, The Compromise (A White Sphere In A Black Hole in A White Cube), 2014, Four-channel installation, Digitized 16mm film of a digital video, 8’00. Thank you to: Michael Higgins, Sinead Spring, Adrien Merigeau, Julien Rengard, Steve O'Connor & Conor McCague

Maarten Vanden Eynde, The Earth Seen From The Moon, 2005, Installation, Helmet, telescope and black marker. Courtesy of the artist & Meessen De Clercq

Tania Bruguera, Dignity Has No Nationality & Expert Meeting on Artistic Freedom, 2014,  Installation. Courtesy of the artist and Gonzalez y Gonzalez Gallery, Lima

Fernando Bryce, Limits to Growth / Die Alternative, 2014, Drawings 42 x 29,7 cm. Courtesy of the artist.

Left: Patrick Hamilton, Chuzo, 2012 - 2014,  Installation, Steel, enamel, 161 x 40 x 3 cm.  Courtesy of the artist and Baro Gallery, Sao Paulo. Right: Luis Camnitzer, Stillness, 2014, Installation, Clock, mirror, iron bars. Courtesy of the artist and Alexander Gray Associates, New York

Left: Joachim Coucke, Fishing The Pool, 2014, Plastic crate, plexiglass, cable management, locks, custom build Lite Coin miner, Internet connection. Courtesy of the artist + CANAL|05 contemporary art gallery. Right: Jota Castro, Here Comes The Rain Again, 2014, Installation. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Barbara Thumm.

Nuria Güell, Displaced Legal Application

Wilfredo Prieto,  Pan con pan (Bread with Bread), 2011, Installation, Bread, wooden shelf. Courtesy of the Artist and Annet Gelink Gallery

Aleksandra Wasilkowska, The Maquette of reconstruction of Różycki Bazaar, Warsaw, 2014, Installation, various dimensions and materials. Courtesy of the artist

David Zink Yi, The Strangers, 2014, Two-channel video and sound. Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth, London, New York, Zurich / Johann Koenig, Berlin / 80M2 Livia Benavides, Lima

until September 14, 2014
Slow Future
Curated by Jota Castro
Artists: David Adamo, Bigert & Bergström, Bianca Bondi, Tania Bruguera, Fernando Bryce, Ella de Búrca, Luis Camnitzer, Jota Castro, Joachim Coucke, James Deutsher, Kendell Geers, Nuria Güell, Patrick Hamilton, Cinthia Marcelle, Tiago Mata Machado, Gordon Matta-Clark, Ingrid Wildi Merino, Mariele Neudecker, Wilfredo Prieto, Maarten Vanden Eynde, Aleksandra Wasilkowska, David Zink Yi
Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle
ul. Jazdów 2, Warsaw

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Slow Future

“Slow Future” at the Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle is devoted to degrowth, a social movement that promotes the abandonment of compulsory economic growth.

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