JON MORITSUGU: HYPERRRRREALITY

Artwork by Jon Moritsugu.Artwork by Jon Moritsugu. Courtesy of the artist.

exhibition icon  EXHIBITION

JON MORITSUGU: HYPERRRRREALITY

October 31 – December 9, 2021
Commons Gallery, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), Art Building

Events & Programs (events are free and open to the public)

Wednesday, November 10, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.,  Public talk via Zoom. Zoom Meeting ID for all talks: 641 863 5286 passcode: Manoa2021. Link here. Schedule and meeting info for all talks.

Sunday, November 14, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m., Public performance, Commons Gallery, UHM. Ear protection suggested. Seizure-inducing lights and images.

The Commons Gallery, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), is pleased to present Jon Moritsugu: HYPERRRRREALITY. 

Artist Statement

IS THIS A FAKE EXPERIENCE?

IS THIS A SIMULATION?

IS THIS A FANTÔME OF A SIMULACRUM?

REALITY IS SHIFTY.

HAVE YOU SLIPPED TODAY?

Artist Bio

Jon Moritsugu’s movies are satiric, protopunk deconstructions of popular genres and formats with scabrous and pointedly garish results. The New York Times describes them as “funny, anarchic, provocative and exhilarating.” Influenced by the nihilism of Jean-Luc Godard and Guy Debord, Moritsugu states that he often “pay(s) less attention to narrative flow and storyline and put(s) more emphasis on sight, sound and spectacle” to create a movie that is “like a live punk/hardcore show.” The works themselves are often absurdist comedies that feature leading lady, co-creator, and muse, Amy Davis. These films have screened at Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Rotterdam, Venice, New York Underground, Chicago Underground, and Hawai‘i International film festivals, and also at MoMA, Guggenheim, Whitney, PS1, American Film Institute, British Film Institute, and numerous other venues. This is Moritsugu’s second installation. His first, SEMIOTICS OF SLEAZE, was presented at Ramiken Crucible, New York City, 2016. Born in Honolulu, 1965, Moritsugu lives and works in Mānoa.

Exhibition

The exhibition is curated by Maika Pollack.

Sponsors 

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Department of Art + Art History and College of Arts, Languages & Letters; supported by the Halekulani Hotel– Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH Mānoa; and anonymous donors. The artist's talk is supported by the Clifford Iwao Arinaga Memorial Fund.

Gallery hours & admission:

Sun. – Thurs. 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed Fridays & Saturdays; Nov. 11, Veterans Day; Nov. 25 & 26, Thanksgiving & non-instructional day.

Free admission. Please note that this exhibition can be viewed through the gallery windows due to COVID-19 and that no entry is permitted.

Parking fees may apply during weekdays. Parking is free on Sundays

Directions

Information and dates are subject to change.

For more information please contact Sharon Tasaka at 808.956.8364 and gallery@hawaii.edu