Holden Art Gallery: New persectives on democracy

NEW work by four UK artists looking at the concept of democracy is on show at the Holden Art Gallery, MMU until April 27.

Diverse not only in their background, but in their approaches and attitudes to their practice, the four reflect on what democracy means and how it is interpreted in today’s society.

Encompassing photography, video and installation, the selected artists offer a survey of compelling and sometimes controversial interpretations into the multi-faceted manifestations of democracy and its uses as a vehicle.

From images of village communities in defiance to images of torture and humiliation, from young Bosnian girls in graduation dresses to the idyllic world of international themed parks, Make it a Better Place features artists pushing the boundaries of the photographic image. At the core, is the most fundamental of questions, is democracy always a good thing?

The exhibition is conceived and curated by the artist Dinu Li.

The Artists:
Oreet Ashery's work looks at the politics of identity and difference, cultural anxiety and location, all in relation to popular culture. The Village Series is built as a modular structure with digital images, videos and objects. The video ‘Three Sons’ points to the contested line between terrorists, freedom fighters and citizens.

Giuseppe di Bella’s practice examines the effects and implications of violence – domestic or public – within contemporary society. In his Abu Ghraib series, di Bella revisits scenes of abuse, challenging our perceptions of when, why and how images are used and reused in a world super-saturated by images of violence.

Mandy Lee Jandrell examines global consumerism and its effects on culture, art and society. Shot in various theme parks and leisure environments around the world, Jandrell’s photographs reflect our enduring emotional investment in utopian dreams of paradise – a fantasyland, where nature is tidied up, contained, controlled and owned.

Margareta Kern’s work interrogates our personal and intimate spaces. For Graduation Dresses, Kern photographed local girls, who have recently graduated from high schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their dresses made by Kern’s mother are based on images found on the internet, fashion magazines and on television, of celebrities and models wearing haute couture dresses.

MMU's Holden Gallery, All Saints Campus, is open Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm

See www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk.