In The House Imaginary, the house is a lens through which artists explore memory, identity, and belonging in an increasingly itinerant world. Artists adopt the complex archetype of the house to examine a myriad of personal, social, and timely political themes that are diverse in perspective and full of contradiction. The house can be a lightning rod in which social policies around immigration, homelessness, urban planning, race, and gender intersect with personal histories and fictions. After the horrors of World War II, theorist Theodor Adorno famously declared, “dwelling, in the proper sense, is now impossible…. The house is past.” He was claiming that personal security can no longer be considered apart from the systemic oppressions and omissions necessary to retain that security. This recognition is achingly urgent today in an era of global migrations, heightened awareness of inequalities, and San José’s own housing crisis.

Artists featured in the exhibition include Carmen Argote, Gertrude Bleiberg, Carmen Lomas Garza, Gauri Gill, Thomas Harding, Todd Hido, Mildred Howard, Salomón Huerta, Robert Isaacs, Mike Kelley, André Kertész, Won Ju Lim, An Te Liu, David Maisel, Don Martin, Lorie Novak, Bill Owens, Milton Rogovin, Clare Rojas, Maxime Rossi, Roger Shimomura, Do Ho Suh, Larry Sultan, Tabaimo, Clarissa Tossin, Wolfe von dem Bussche, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Rachel Whiteread, and Zarina.

Press

The Do List, KQED
April 18, 2018

Timely ‘House Imaginary’ Reflects on Memories and Meanings of Home, KQED Arts
May 16, 2018