A report from the Recycle Group exhibition at Winzavod

Contents:

• Red Workshop: Rethinking the Classics
• White Workshop: Machine Perception
• Large Wine Storage: Virtual Worlds

The Recycle Group exhibition "New Nature" is on display at the Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art in Moscow until mid-March. This project was first presented this summer at the Manege in St. Petersburg, but the Moscow exhibition brings a new dramaturgy and interpretation. We visited the exhibition and are ready to share our impressions of it.

The exhibition, entitled "New Nature," is dedicated to depicting a world transformed by new technologies and reflects human thinking in the information age. It is presented in three halls: the Red Workshop, the White Workshop, and the Large Wine Cellar. It is recommended to begin your tour from the ground floor of the main building to fully immerse yourself in the exhibition's concept and appreciate its thematic depth.

The Red Workshop: Rethinking the Classics

The central element of the hall is a cross that stretches almost the entire length of the floor and is framed by airy arches with trifoliates. The openwork decoration of the arches evokes Gothic churches, while the black cross reflects the plan of a classical medieval basilica. This architectural composition emphasizes the harmony between light and shadow, creating a unique atmosphere that attracts attention and evokes deep reflections on spirituality and history.

Initially, it is difficult to notice that the installation is made of thin corrugated pipes designed to protect electrical cables after they are laid. The structure is completed by a portal made of the same material, which accurately reproduces the stepped forms of medieval church entrances. The portal is decorated with sculptures, but instead of traditional images of saints, visitors are greeted by gloomy figures reminiscent of Dementors, faceless and hanging in the air without support. This creates an eerie atmosphere. The composition as a whole makes a powerful impression and evokes profound reflections on the contrast between light and darkness.

Behind the portal is an altar, illuminated by fluorescent boxes, where the quintessence of the man of the future is concentrated. It is divided into two parts: real and virtual. One exists in the physical world, and the other in digital space. Both aspects are formed on the basis of the text "Terms of Use". — the main document defining the rights and responsibilities of a digital person.

The second notable exhibit in this hall is the well-known Recycle Group project with sarcophagi made in the form of large garbage containers. If in the past, religion served as the foundation of human existence, and biblical stories were depicted on the sarcophagi of the deceased, then in the modern world, consumption has become religion. These scenes reflect the final moments of the life of homo virtualis, who, upon passing away, will be buried with an iPhone in hand. This project raises important questions about the values ​​and priorities of modern society in the age of digitalization and consumerism.The exhibition in this hall reimagines classical art in the context of the digitalization of modern society. Ancient busts are transformed with the addition of social media logos, and Laocoön, instead of snakes, is surrounded by wires. Epic high reliefs that once depicted heroes of fateful battles are now filled with virtual reality fighters. The "Open Code" installation includes compositions of bodies that appear incomplete—not all fragments have loaded, and holes can be seen everywhere. Perhaps these gaps will be filled in the future, but the information contained within them may be lost forever. This exhibition highlights the interaction of art and technology, questioning traditional notions of heritage and its preservation in the age of digital change.

Leaving the exhibition hall, one experiences mixed feelings: the solidity of the methods and images belies the fleeting nature of current trends. The iPhone 5 in the 2017 work "Sarcophagus 1" already looks dated. Art that strives for progressiveness becomes outdated faster than it can reach the viewer. What should remain relevant for centuries, like Greek imagery and the splendor of the Middle Ages, to which this art is compared, can become obscured in just two decades. While understanding the art of the past requires a knowledge of monumental events and the marks of centuries, a guide to contemporary art will contain long lists of vanished brands, mergers, and redesigns whose lifespans are measured in mere seconds on the scale of history.

The White Workshop: Machine Perception

This room alleviates the feeling of being lost, thanks to its smaller capacity, lighter atmosphere, and simplified design. Here, artists explore the theme of computer intelligence, which is presented as an independent entity capable of complementing human intelligence. This space promotes deep reflection on the interaction of technology and human consciousness, emphasizing the importance of symbiosis between artificial and natural intelligence.

In the exhibition "Point," the viewer encounters a unique object that illustrates the principles of anamorphic vision. Upon first entering the hall, the viewer sees only a blank black display. However, by changing the angle of view, they begin to notice how this display transforms into a spotlight that picks out fragments of a black sphere located behind the screen. This interactive work creates a sense of depth and allows for an exploration of the boundaries of perception, emphasizing the relationship between the viewer and the art object.

Up close, the object acquires perspective and depth. The installation is executed almost entirely in an analog format—only the inner part of the screen is illuminated, on which thin cells of siding panels are superimposed, laid on top of one another. These narrow square tubes converge in perspective, and their edges conceal a significant portion of the drawing, creating an optical illusion. This approach allows the viewer to perceive the work in a new way, immersing them in a world of visual effects and an unconventional perception of space.

The central element of the exhibition is a large-scale metallic lake, on whose surface a bright arch composed of flashing servers is reflected. This interaction between the arch and its reflection in the metallic lake creates the symbol "Zero," which represents the beginning and end of all existence. This artistic project highlights the interrelationship between technology and philosophy, inviting viewers to reflect on the nature of existence and the digital world.

The lake, strewn with inscriptions, represents the results of an artificial intelligence system that analyzed the reflections on its surface. This unique landscape is framed by two images from the diptych "Zero Coordinate," which are also dedicated to the perception of the real world through the prism of machine vision, but with an emphasis on the processing of natural landscapes. In the event of errors in the analysis, the program assigns a "zero coordinate" to the processed location, corresponding to a point in the Atlantic Ocean. Sunset and sunrise over this coordinate form the so-called "zero-level landscape," creating a deep connection between artificial intelligence and nature.

After interacting with the grid panels of the "Zero Layer", known to designers as the Background Layer in Photoshop, the viewer finds himself in front of two doors. By uploading his own photos through a special application, he gets the opportunity to receive a prediction from artificial intelligence. The program analyzes uploaded images using computer vision algorithms and generates a prediction. The viewer decides whether this prediction will be positive or negative. Like in "The Matrix": choose between a blue or a red door.

The Large Wine Storage: Virtual Worlds

To continue viewing, you must pick up your clothes from the cloakroom and proceed to the Large Wine Storage, which is located around the corner. This is where the most unusual thing begins: after the cold of Moscow, you find yourself in a wondrous forest. This part of the exhibition is undoubtedly the most interesting, and could be singled out as the central one. Unlike the previous halls, it is less concerned with rapidly aging technologies and focuses on the global problems of human existence and information in the digital age. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of human interaction with the surrounding world and its place in digital reality.

The fairytale forest of the installation "Forest of Expired Links" resembles a tangled jungle labyrinth. Internet addresses form texture and pattern on the large leaves of massive plants, creating an atmosphere in which one can wander endlessly. This is analogous to how we get lost online, following links that, like many web pages, quickly become outdated. In this forest, one can encounter impressive stumps of dead trees, but instead of growth rings, they are covered with neural network rings. These prehistoric stumps emit musical signals simply by running a hand over their rings. The installation immerses the viewer in a unique experience of interaction with technology and nature, emphasizing the fragility and temporariness of the digital world.

In the heart of the forest is the installation "Closed Systems," a triptych consisting of three large zeros. These zeros are formed by groups of figures exploring virtual reality. The composition contains allusions to wood nymphs playing among the branches, as well as references to Matisse's famous work "Dance." The figures, entwined with wires and connected to the Internet, are illuminated by constantly changing colors of spotlights, creating the feeling of flickering fairy lights that beckon travelers into the enchanted forest: "Join us, relax." However, the ending of this story is often sad, as we know well. This installation raises important questions about human interaction with technology and nature, forcing the viewer to consider the consequences of choices.

Small side halls are dedicated to augmented reality, where the bodies of virtual sinners are trapped in massive blocks of ice. Unlike Dante's book, where traitors are trapped in ice, the "Block Content" installation features those who have betrayed reality by becoming fascinated with virtual worlds. Visitors can see these characters on their smartphone screens using a special app. This unique combination of art and technology allows for a deeper understanding of the consequences of immersion in digital reality.

Another dedication to digital inhabitants is the AR installation "Human Template." When you point your smartphone at the complex block diagrams on the monument, images of those who have forever abandoned real life appear on the screen. Among them are "Instagrammers" and "Facebookers"—all that remains of them are electrical impulses transmitted through social media. This installation raises questions about the impact of technology on human relationships and identity in the modern world.

Once you step outside, it becomes obvious that the exhibition is executed with a high level of skill, although the impression it leaves is ambiguous. Art has served two key functions throughout the centuries: it either explores the world around us or explores itself. In this regard, the Recycle exhibition demonstrates a successful exploration of reality. The New Nature project is a deep dive into contemporary reality, where artists employ cutting-edge tools and technologies to create unique works that provoke viewers to reflect on nature and our interactions with it. The question of art's longevity is controversial. In 1991, Viktor Pelevin published the book "Prince of Gosplan," based on the popular computer game Prince of Persia. However, this work may be difficult for millennials to understand, as they are unfamiliar with the iconic game and have a limited understanding of the concept of "gosplan." Therefore, it is worth considering how difficult it will be for future generations to interpret the works of artists like Recycle Group. Exploring the cultural and historical contexts in which art is created is crucial to understanding its meaning and future relevance.

Facebook, which has become a symbol of the digital age, recently transformed into Meta, reflecting a desire for a new vision of social interaction. However, many users are beginning to abandon the platform in search of more modern and relevant social networks. Art, which today strives for cutting-edge modernity and the use of contemporary imagery, may take on a completely different meaning in a few decades. What now seems innovative can become outdated and forgotten, highlighting the cyclical nature of perception and value in the art world.

The exhibition offers many opportunities for reflection and impressions. Technology is developing at an incredible speed, and the work of Recycle Group must be perceived in its current context. This context is "here" and "right now." Don't miss the chance to see unique works of art and understand their significance in the modern world.

The "New Nature" exhibition will be on display at the Winzavod until March 13th. Location: 4th Syromyatnichesky Lane, Building 1/8. Don't miss the opportunity to see unique works and immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art.

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