Kitty Clark – Mr Nobody

Phoenix is proud to present Mr. Nobody, a solo show of new work by Kitty Clark commissioned especially for our cube gallery. The exhibition features an oculus rift virtual reality experience at the centre of a series of sculptures and projection works, which explore a common abstracted narrative.

Mr. Nobody, the central figure in the installation, is a salary man living in the near future suffering from Technostress, a term coined to describe the negative psychological relationship between people and new technologies.

Technostress manifests itself physically, psychologically and behaviorally as a result of overexposure to technology. Computer rage – a side effect to this phenomenon – has driven people to verbally and physically assault their devices, in some cases involving the use of weapons against an individual’s own computer as a way of coping with intense frustrations over the failures of technology to deliver on the promises of an easier and more efficient existence.

The exhibition features a series of acrylic sculptures, which take cues from the subculture of competitive case modding – in which computer cases are modified decoratively to highlight the devices inner workings – and high spec PC customization. Through echoing the abstracted digital narrative these engravings seek to explore the relationships between the physical world and the cultures trapped within in a virtual one.

Clark’s work highlights a sense of anxiety and fear as our desire for digital salvation is replaced by a darker and more complex relationship with technology.

An accompanying screening event – “Coworkers” – will take place alongside the exhibition in November to coincide with the inaugural Leicester Art Week.

London Based artist Kitty Clark (b. 1988, Brighton) graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2011 and has exhibited her work across the UK and internationally with recent shows in Tokyo and New York. This exhibition is curated by Leicester based artist Gino Attwood