Multiplicity is an international survey of artworks sharing an interest in the politics and poetic potential of contemporary urban environments and exposing the irresistible pull of the similarities—intercultural meeting points, common problems, goals and dreams—around which people converge. Multiplicity features a wide-ranging selection of works exploring culturally and geographically distant urban spaces, curated by Marco Antonini in collaboration with a network of curatorial advisors based in Belfast, Hong Kong, New Delhi, New York, Tel Aviv and Tirana, and presented as a series of four consecutive exhibitions hosted by NURTUREart, Mixed Greens, INVISIBLE-EXPORTS and UnionDocs. The works address the myriad public and private rituals of the city, mining its institutional and vernacular histories while re-imagining its formal and functional aspects.
The Making of Neon Signs / 2014 / 12min / CPAK Studio
“The Making of Neon Signs” is part of “Mobile M+: NEONSIGNS.HK“, an online exhibition celebrating Hong Kong’s neon signs, presented by M+, West Kowloon Cultural District. In this work, CPak studio documents the dying trade (and once thriving local business) of Hong Kong neon-sign makers. With Neon consistently replaced by LED, the gigantic neon signs that once characterized the city’s urban landscape are disappearing.
A Removals Job / 2012 / Nicholas Keogh
The film follows the household clearance of a traditional two-up, two-down red brick terrace in Belfast. At first, the movements of the workers are erratic and violent; only after an understanding of each character has been established is order restored. Their movements are subtly choreographed, producing a seamless flow of objects that slot perfectly into a skip — reminiscent of the classic 1990s computer game Tetris.
Le Chiavi di Casa / 2007 / Alice Schivardi
In this video, people of different nationalities try to build a “house” using found materials, and trying to communicate via different languages and experiences. Various cultures and personalities translate in different ways to address the task at hand and highlight the importance of collaboration in defining physical as well as cultural spaces.
Perfect ride / 2012 / video / 5min / Sasa Tkacenko
In the interior of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade, which purpose was neglected for years (closed down for renovation for 5 years now), a skater is trying to perform what is most important for him – the perfect ride. The atmosphere of timelessness that is dominant in the space of the “abandoned” Museum of Contemporary Art appeared perfect as the scenery for a incompatible action that gave its endless reconstruction new character. In this way, I wanted to show the intimate and intense moments of connection between a young man and his skills to the forgotten building of the Museum and thereby retrieve the grandeur and importance of this building through a moment that, as the action unfolds, becomes a very important experience for young actor in the video. This video is essentially a homage to the building – the master piece of modernistic architecture in Yugoslavia – that, despite all current technical shortcomings, remains a monumental and incredibly powerful.
Detroit / 2009 / single channel video / 13min / Amir Yatziv
A map of an Arab Town is presented to city planers who aren’t aware that it was built as a military training area. They analyse the influence of the city’s structure on its imaginary inhabitants. The title of the video is borrowed from this training area in the country’s southern region. “Detroit” is a 1:1 simulation of a Palestinian city. The simulation generates an alternative reality which conceals the true reality. The training city “Detroit” was intended to prepare soldiers for combat in an urban area. It resembles a Muslim quarter, thus meeting the users’ needs in a simulation which would furnish them with a fantasy of an Arab city. The essence of this city is replaced by its fictive image. “Detroit” is devoid of flowering gardens; the city’s residents are mere extras, and the houses contain no books or any other sign of life.
