The exhibition features a large-scale installation titled Tourism A to Z of 195 postcards (one for each independent country on Earth), which depicts a tourist's view of each country coupled with screen-grabs relating to the immigration process. The installation visually encapsulates the often-homogenous representations of countries in the context of attracting immigrants and tourists.
Andrea Meislin Gallery is pleased to present Global Reach Inc., the second solo exhibition by collaborative artists Alina and Jeff Bliumis. The exhibition thoughtfully examines the contemporary movement and relocation of peoples around the world as well as the growing commercialization of immigration by positing the question - can immigration be the new tourism? Opening Reception will be held on Saturday February 26th from 6 to 8 pm.
Transforming the gallery space into the headquarters of the fictitious travel conglomerate – Global Reach Inc. – Alina and Jeff have created a world where mobility is fluid and visas are cursory. By taking advantage of the artists' Relocation Consulting Services during bi-weekly office hours, you may have a private consultation to determine your ideal country to relocate to for a few years, or more. After conducting a visual quiz, Alina and Jeff will run your responses through their unique ranking system to establish the country most suited to you and provide information and facts, the cheapest available airfare there, and even on request a 'human link' for your arrival.
The exhibition features a large-scale installation titled Tourism A to Z of 195 postcards (one for each independent country on Earth), which depicts a tourist's view of each country coupled with screen-grabs relating to the immigration process. The installation visually encapsulates the often-homogenous representations of countries in the context of attracting immigrants and tourists. Eleven unique works on paper in the Which Country is the Best to Move to? Series capture the particular difficulties or benefits of immigrating to specific locales. Both the physical and the performative aspects of Global Reach Inc. speak to the dissonance between those who want to move and those in this world that need to move.
Alina and Jeff's work has been exhibited internationally including the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art (Russia), Busan Biennale 2006 (South Korea), Assab One (Italy), Castlefield Gallery (UK). Additionally their work belongs to various private and public collections, including the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the Saatchi Collection (UK) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK). For more information please contact the gallery at info@andreameislin.com.
Opening February 26, 2011
Andrea Meislin Gallery
526 West 26th Street, Suite 214, New York
Gallery Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
free admission