Gravity of the Useless

The exhibition is loosely inspired by the philosophy of Georges Bataille, according to which every system produces immeasurable, excessive energy that cannot be used in any utilitarian way and must be wasted or used for purposes other than those originally intended. Contemporary technologies can be seen as one of these systems, generating surplus energy, materials or data that do not serve their original purposes and „offer“ (or force) opportunities for other uses. The exhibition seeks to trace the fallout zones of such energetic ‚waste‘ and to explore the ways in which specific communities survive „under“ the forces of technological power, sometimes even offering an alternative way of life by using the energy in unexpected and creative ways.
As part of the opening of the “Gravity of the Useless” exhibition at the Display Gallery, philosopher and theorist of cuteness Maya B. Kronic will give a performance lecture on technology and excess entitled IN LOVE WITH SENSELESS INTENSIFICATION: THE JOY OF EXCESS
why am I like this ❤️ looks like i’m in love ❤️ my heart turned into a supermassive black hole and pulled me inside out under the influence of an irresistible gravitational force ❤️ NFTs flooded my basement, social media colonised my neurons, Ghibli AIs slurped up all my drinking water ❤️ this is fine ❤️ know I’m gonna die but i still want more ❤️ last reserves went on writing this love letter ❤️ burn after reading
In addition, Maya will also present 3 video pieces (on which she has collaborated with Jake Chapman and Paul Chaney + a video by Daniel Felstead), which will remain on view in the Display Gallery until 31 August 2025. Paul Chaney, Maya B. Kronic: Proof of Expenditure (4 Saps) (photogrammetric trophy NFTs, videoloo,p 0:54)
Jake Chapman, Maya B. Kronic: misfortunes (video, 10:55)
Daniel Felstead: Welcome to Jankspace, babes (video, duration will be specified)
BIO Maya B. Kronic (she/her) is a recrypted iteration of a philosopher, and is Head of Research and Development at the publisher Urbanomic, which aims to engender interdisciplinary thinking and production. The Agent, patient, and product of ongoing research project on gender hyperstition and cute accelerationism. Maya has written and spoken on art and philosophy and has also worked with a number of artists developing cross-disciplinary projects, as well as translating innumerable essays and various book-length works of French philosophy. Her research interests include: accelerationism, the ethics of intensity, subjectivity and the earth, the cute and the supernormal, deleuze and mathematics, and transphoria.