Kathryn Andrews, Ed Atkins, Chris Bradley, Roe Ethridge, Jill Frank, GuytonWalker, Anna Gray & Ryan Wilson Paulsen, Anna K.E., and Jack Lavender
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara presents the West Coast premiere ofTeen Paranormal Romance, organized by Hamza Walker, associate curator at The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, Illinois. The exhibition explores the recent popularity of the “Teen Paranormal Romance” literary genre, characterized by romantic love with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.Within this framework, artists Kathryn Andrews, Ed Atkins, Chris Bradley, Roe Ethridge, Jill Frank, Anna Gray & Ryan Wilson Paulsen, GuytonWalker, Anna K.E., and Jack Lavender allude to contemporary notions of escapism, dystopia, and angst.
The exhibition includes sculpture, photography, and video that tap into the conceptual veins of this widely acclaimed genre. The works offer subtle commentary on the dark zeitgeist of paranormal phenomena and the ideological positions it influences regarding topics that range from religious belief to sexual politics. Exemplified by series such as Twilight, The Hunger Games, True Blood, and the Divergent trilogy, the movement towards this supernatural fiction has, as the curator states, “rendered the unconscious a derelict playground sprouting weeds of escapist surrealism.”
Curated by Hamza Walker, The Renaissance Society
Tour Schedule:
The Renaissance Society, Chicago
March 9 - April 13, 2014
Curator: Hamza Walker
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
October 25, 2014 - January 17, 2015
Organizing curator: Rachel Reese
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
April 19 - July 5, 2015
Organizing curator: Brooke Kellaway
Special Thanks to:
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) exhibition and education programs are generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts; Nordstrom, Inc.; Towbes Foundation; Dedalus Foundation; Ann Jackson Family Foundation; Community Events & Festivals Grant Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission; Mosher Foundation in honor of Barry Berkus, recommended by Dr. Bruce McFadden; Montecito Bank & Trust; High Tide Foundation; and contributions from our Board of Trustees and many generous individuals. MCASB Curator's Council is gratefully acknowledged for their support. Additional significant support is provided by The James Irvine Foundation; Getty Foundation; Williams-Corbett Foundation; Hutton Parker Foundation/Cox Communications Marketing Grant.
Special thanks to: Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center; Santa Barbara Independent; Artiste Winery; Sunstone Winery; Telegraph Brewery; and Wayne McCall & Associates.
