VOMITORIUM Paul Ferens open forum 20.07.2024

open forum is proud to present VOMITORIUM, a solo exhibition of two new series of works by Paul Ferens. The first is a group of light boxes displaying the contents of “show fridges”, refrigerators seen in popular culture to be used by the wealthy to display the pristine, probably organic and definitely unused food.

These light boxes are installed in contrast to a new series referencing 17th century Dutch still life paintings. Much like this new series of paintings by Paul Ferens, these historic works were created at the height of Dutch culture and economic prowess, and depict seductive cornucopias of food, decomposing, and past its prime. This ostentatious display of intentionally wasted food and luxury objects in Ferens’ paintings, alongside the pristine see-through refrigerators appropriated from contemporary popular culture, highlight our society’s spiral into the depths of consumerism and frivolity.

Does history repeat itself? In 2024, it feels as if the question answers itself. But whose and what history? Common understanding is that the vomitoriums of Ancient Rome were antechambers where the wealthy would purge during banquets in order to continue to gorge. In fact, the term refers to the exits of stadiums and theaters from which the masses would spew out onto the streets, drunk and satiated from the entertainment provided to them by elites. Many of us find ourselves deeply hopeless and unsatisfied with current socio-political realities. We also find ourselves binging on social media as a way to numb our frustrations. Rather than passing judgment on this, Ferens’ work asks us to look at where we find ourselves within a larger historic cycle, and how we may find new ways forward.

VOMITORIUM by Paul Ferens opens July 20th, 2024 from 5-8 PM, and will subsequently be on view by appointment.

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