About

The exhibition Meta_Contra_Verse will include an open call alongside the curated selection which will include both digital and physical artworks. The curators are Shiva Lynn Burgos, the founder of GESTE, Camille Gajate and Georg Bak.

For this 6th edition of GESTE Paris we will include shape-shifting avatars, intangibilities, NFTs and minted physical representations thereof, WEB 3.0, A.I. generated, digital and blockchain based works, the metaverse, and verse in general as a lyrical contra post to dialogue with historical art concepts of imaginary worlds. 

Our accomplished international jury will select six winning entries to be included in the exhibition open to the public from October through late November and online in conjunction with Paris Photo. GESTE Paris will purchase at least one work from the jury selection which will be added to the GESTE permanent art collection. All shortlisted artists will be included in a screen presentation which will be displayed during the exhibition.  The jury will look for works which address the theme of the exhibition, Meta_Contra_Verse, in a striking and original manner with a strong interplay between process, form and content.

Concept: Meta_Contra_Verse

"The future is already here; it's just not evenly distributed."    William Gibson 

GESTE Paris takes its inspiration from influential philosopher Vilém Flusser who described photography in terms of a philosophical action or gesture. Since his passing in 1991 the world of photography and image-making has expanded exponentially. Artificial intelligence is creating algorithmic hyper-interpretations, virtual and augmented reality let us explore worlds both real and simulated. Glitches in these systems are self-reflective and catalyse further creative opportunities.

What would Flusser say when confronted with these novel realities and potentials?  How can we play within and alongside (meta) the machine rather than against it (contra)? How have the means shifted our future's future vision of creation? How are fears attached to these transformational media? Why is it contra_versial? Is there space for everyone in this space? What does it look like? Feel like?  Smell like?  Where do these bubbles divert and connect artistically?

More information about GESTE, the curators and the jury as well as previous editions are on our Instagram @geste.paris and our website gesteparis.com