In the vibrant heart of East London’s Shoreditch, where creativity and culture intertwine, the Espacio Gallery recently played host to our MA students’ exhibition. The event showcased the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work. The exhibition, titled ‘What is the Contemporary?’ was brought to life by our very own MA students at the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA), and was the catalyst for many discussions with its diverse themes and the students’ unique perspectives.
Our MA students, who come from a variety of backgrounds, came together to explore their understanding of the contemporary in today’s world. With students hailing from places such as Mexico, Colombia and Italy, the exhibition combined perceptions of modernism from all corners of the globe.
Visitors were treated to an array of thought-provoking pieces that delved into subjects as varied as identity, technology, environmental issues, and societal shifts. From videos that depicted the fast-paced life of the digital age to fashion garments that challenged CCTV monitoring and surveillance, ‘What is the Contemporary?’ presented a kaleidoscope of ideas and interpretations of the contemporary world.
MA Art and Design student Ana Maria Yarza wanted to explore how CCTV is extremely prevalent in current society.
She said, “My project is called ‘Techognition’ – a playful concept about disguising your face in public. The project looks at facial recognition software and everyday surveillance systems, and how we might be able to have a little bit of control over what they are doing.”
Shoreditch, the epicenter of the arts and culture scene in London, served as the perfect backdrop for our MA students’ final project exhibition. Known for its iconic street art, innovative fashion, and avant-garde galleries, the location of the exhibition embodied the very essence of contemporary expression.
Head of the CSVPA Graduate school, Prof Edward Dimsdale, said “For students, showcasing one’s work in a real London gallery… makes things real! It’s about developing high-level communication skills in a real world context.”
Our MA students successfully demonstrated that the contemporary can be multifaceted and, above all, meaningful.
We wish all the best of luck to our MA students as they embark on a new journey within our contemporaneous world!
Find out more about our MA courses.
