Curator Dasha Aksenova collected a set of works that explore the verge between comfort and anxiety. The venue of the New Uncanny Gallery used to be an industrial factory, which contributes to its atmosphere of desertion and mysteriousness. Cracks in wooden floors, sinking ceiling panels, and dark corners stir anxious curiosity in the visitors. The artistic works showcased explore the uncanny valley concept introduced by Masahiro Mori to explain why far too humanlike objects make us uncomfortable, and try to find the borderline where comfort ends and fears takes the stage.
One of the works displayed is Between the Skins by Ilya Fedotov-Fedorov. Distorted limp textile figures make the visitors feel compassion and fear at the same time. These figures seem to be alive, to beg the visitors to stay and relieve their loneliness. According to the artist, these creatures symbolize the fragile connection between comfort and alienation.
The exhibition is open till December 20.
2335 12th Avenue, New York, NY.
