We all shall play in the ruins
"The space of our physics, like the space of our daily lives, is thus a mere construction; an architecture
thrown up by perception of the phenomena that surround us and thereby shape, for all of us, this
'landscape of events' that makes philosophers and scientists mere humble landscape artists."
Paul Virilio, The University of Disaster
Jason Mena's work entails a multi-faceted approach to contemporaneity that, drawn from
conceptualism and minimalism, reveals the complexities and contradictions of the ever
increasing urbanization of space. The City and its architecture becomes the main protagonist
and consequently witness of the post-modern condition. Reality and fiction converge, they
appear and disappear in the urban landscape, provoking multiple reactions and interpretations.
Working with different media, mainly photography, video, installation and sculpture, Mena reacts
to his surroundings and eerily reminds us that appearances can ultimately be deceiving. His
work leads to a profound criticism of the constant simulation of culture, the speed of
urbanization and the accelerated decay of our social and political climate.
We all shall play in the ruins comprises photography, installation, video and drawing. Informed
by Paul Virilio's take on the speed of post-modern society, Mena seemingly creates a
"landscape of events" where motion and velocity translate to both destruction and construction.
Throughout the exhibition objects and images suggest movement in various explicit and even
subtle ways. A central part of the exhibition is the photographic series Points of View, where
Mena uses architecture to challenge the viewer's perception. By focusing on the malleability of
perception, these images not only delineate the fragility of contemporaneity but also the
apparent imperceptibility of our urban reality.
Jason Mena (1974, New York) works between Mexico, Valencia, New York and Puerto Rico. He
earned his B.A. at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has shown his
work in numerous international venues such as the Poly/Graphic Triennial: Latin America and
the Caribbean and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Puerto Rico, the Museum of Modern Art,
Dominican Republic, the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Art, San Francisco and the
Painters & Sculptors Association Gallery, Israel. He was nominated for the Emerging Artist's
Brugal ARCO Madrid 09 Acquisition Award, received the 2008 Lexus Grant for the Arts and the
2006 AICA Award, International Association of Art Critics, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
We all shall play in the ruins is Jason Mena's first solo exhibition at Luis Adelantado Gallery in
Valencia.
Image: Untitled (Points of View)", 2008-2010. C-Print, series of 3.
For more information or hi-res images, please contact the Gallery.
Tel. 34 963510179. email: prensa@luisadelantadovalencia.com
Opening Friday, November 12th. From 20:30 to 22:00 hrs.
Luis Adelantado Gallery
C./ Bonaire 6. 46003 Valencia
Hours: Mon - Sat 10-14 and 16,30-20,30