Speculative was a curatorial project developed with artists Zach Blas and Michael Kontopoulos. The group explored which explore speculation as a political and creative practice. The project developed into an exhibition, a book, and a series of events.
Speculative Exhibition at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions
SPECULATIVE was exhibited at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions from June 16, 2011 to August 28th, 2011. Developed with co-curator Zach Blas, the show brings together 9 projects which speculate about power, surveillance, biology, sex, and the apocalypse.
Artists:
Casey Alt, Zach Blas, Jeff Cain, Micha Cardenas, Xarene Eskandar, Michael Kontopoulos, Elle Mehrmand, Christopher O’Leary, Claudia Salamanca, Pinar Yoldas
exhibition documentation
2011
The Speculative Reader
2011
Edited by Christopher O’Leary and Zach Blas. This book contains essays and works of fiction written by guests and the artists themselves.
Guest writers:
Jack Halberstam, *Particle Group*, Scott Bukatman, Jordan Crandall, Pedro Lasch, Alexander Galloway, Sean Dockray
Features artists:
Casey Alt, Zach Blas, Jeff Cain, Micha Cardenas, Xarene Eskandar, Michael Kontopoulos, Elle Mehrmand, Christopher O’Leary, Claudia Salamanca, Pinar Yoldas
Dark Matter Event Series at Machine Project
A series of 3 events organized with Michael Kontopoulos and Zach Blas, exploring the scientific and metaphorical aspects of “dark matter”.
event poster
2012
Dark Matter At Machine Project
Machine Project:
Friday October 12, 2012
Physicist Jennifer Siegal-Gaskins and artist Ricardo Dominguez will present two perspectives on the invisible, intangible, enigmatic mystery material Dark Matter. Their diverging viewpoints will collide at a stimulating evening exploring hidden facets of our universe and culture.
event poster
2012
9 Perspectives on Dark Matter
Machine Project:
Friday November 2, 2012
Our exploration of Dark Matter will continue this week, with ten artists, researchers, writers and ethnographers approaching the theme of dark matter in ten eclectic, short-form talks.
Featuring Lectures by:
Zach Blas, Jeff Cain, Amisha Gadani, Christopher Kardambikis, Michael Kontopoulos, Chandler McWilliams, Lily Nguyen, Christopher O’Leary, Pinar Yoldas.
event poster
2012
Video Art & Other Experiments
Machine Project:
Thursday November 29, 2012
SPECULATIVE presents a screening on Dark Matter, a chaotic mix of video art and other experiments. This evening will offer glimpses of Dark Matter through the anonymous materials, inexplicable behaviors and intangible networks found in the work of this eclectic selection of artists.
Artists:
Ryan Trecartin, Pascual Sisto, Claudia Salamanca, Ian Alan Paul, Johann Lurf, Joe Hamilton, Megan Daalder, Michelle Dizon, Brody Condon, Jennifer Chan