By Madison Smart
*Cover image courtesy of New Media Gallery
DUST, on view now at New Westminster’s New Media Gallery takes its viewers through a vast exploration of an admittedly small subject.
Highlighting the role of dust in our world and its effect on the human experience, DUST shows that there are plenty of ways to get lost in the minutiae. You might not think that the extremely fine particles of solid matter that occupy every moment of our lives could hold much meaning or tell an engaging narrative, but DUST will surprise you with three enlightening perspectives on the subject.
The exhibition features the work of artists, Denis Beaubois, Herman Kolgen, and Michael Saup. Via intricate technologies, data collection, augmented videography, composed music, and sound, the pieces on view create what Director and Curator of the New Media Gallery, Sarah Joyce, refers to as, “a very human story of how all things emerge from, and become dust.” “These works allow us to witness the environmental impacts of dust, or imagine world migration and the plight of scattered, displaced populations,” Joyce says.
“No longer Adrift” (2013, updated 2023) by Denis Beaubois (right)
Image credit: Rachel Topham Photography
While the concept of dust may not immediately conjure thoughts of any natural noise, the works each create a soundscape with their experience. Kolgen and Saup’s works contain composed musical scores that accentuate the movement and natural behaviour of dust, while Beaubois’ work incorporates airport sounds in between gaps of silence- an ambient and sometimes eerie combination. “It’s probably safe to say, there is a bit of an uncanny, dystopian, sci-fi edge to this exhibition,” Joyce adds.
What was once a seemingly mundane subject is now at the middle of a web of innovative concepts, but not because it’s been left dormant. There’s a natural energy to this show that is palpable when listening to Joyce talk about its recent opening. “People will definitely look at dust differently after seeing this exhibition. You have likely never used VR to witness spirals of dust and data moving like birds in flight over real, urban territories (Saup’s ‘DustVR’)… or considered the origins of airport dust as individual, microscopic offerings collected from distant lands (‘No longer Adrift’ by Beaubois)… or had the opportunity to watch an atmospheric descent through dust and time (Kolgen’s ‘Dust Surface’).”
DUST is one of many wonderful exhibitions in New Media Gallery’s programming that shows how advancement in technology and contemporary art is critical in creating revolutionary meaning in the tiny details of our lives.
“DUST” runs until August 13
For more details, visit https://newmediagallery.ca/
New Media Gallery: Take the Expo Line Skytrain to New Westminster Station, it’s only about a 2-minute walk from there to the Anvil Centre!
To easily plan the route for your next artistic outing, you can use the TransLink Trip Planner.
Image credit: New Media Gallery