Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) will unveil a monster of an exhibition this week to kick off a jam-packed summer of exciting and innovative creative work. HyperPrometheus: The Legacy of Frankenstein opens on Friday, October 19 and runs until Sunday, December 23 exploring the Frankensteinian persona in modern life.
2018 marks 200 years since the publication of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, considered by some to be the first science fiction novel, with a massive influence in literature, philosophy and pop culture that is still felt today. The story is both a celebration and warning of the seductive powers and unforeseen outcomes of scientific advancement – an idea that feels as relevant now as it did back in 1818.
The artworks making up the program are drawn from experimental, contemporary and biological arts and tackle ideas of creating life, the reanimation of the non-living, the technological non-human and the responsibility of creators. HyperPrometheus engages with both real and represented life-forms – from mutants through to purpose-grown and assembled cellular organisms – and speculate on the future of species, the kinds of life-forms that will emerge and be made and the dystopian environments they will inhabit.
The HyperPrometheus events program is preluded by an illustrated lecture from Finland based artist Kira O’Reilly this Saturday, October 13. The opening weekend will feature a free interactive performance by Stelarc, StickMan/miniStickMan on Saturday, October 20 and artist talks by Nina Sellars and Tarsh Bates.
The program will also expand beyond the walls of PICA with two special club performances at Connections Nightclub on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, with Justin Shoulder emerging as Carrion, a mythical chimeric creature that compels us to consider post-human embodiment in a state of planetary disarray. All events and performances at PICA are free, offering an engrossing blend of experiences to capture your senses and imagination:
HYPERPROMETHEUS: THE LEGACY OF FRANKENSTEIN – EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES
Saturday, October 13 | 2pm – 3pm
Beyond the Body: An Illustrated Lecture with Kira O’Reilly
PICA | FREE
Friday, October 19 | 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Exhibition Openings
HyperPrometheus: The Legacy of Frankenstein
PICA | FREE
Saturday, October 20 | 12pm – 5pm
StickMan/miniStickMan | Stelarc
Durational performance
PICA | FREE
Saturday, October 20 | 2pm – 3pm
HyperPrometheus Artist Talks: Nina Sellars & Tarsh Bates
PICA | FREE
Sunday, October 21 | 5pm – 8pm
What if this was the only world she knew? | Kira O’Reilly
Perth Girls School | FREE
Friday, December 7 & Saturday, December 8 | 8.30pm
Carrion: Episode I | Justin Shoulder
Connections Nightclub | $20
Saturday, December 8 | 2pm – 3pm
An Illustrated Lecture with Justin Shoulder
PICA | FREE
HyperPrometheus: The Legacy of Frankenstein runs across PICA, Connections Nightclub and Perth Girls School with multiple exhibitions and performances from Friday, October 19 to Sunday, December 23.
