The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City is hosting the first major survey of the work of Auriea Harvey, a digital artist and sculptor who has been exploring the possibilities and limitations of networked technologies for more than 30 years. The exhibition, titled My Veins Are the Wires, My Body Is Your Keyboard, will run from October 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024, and will feature more than 40 of Harvey's works, ranging from web-based interactives and video games to augmented reality sculptures and 3D-printed objects.
Harvey is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of net art, a genre of art that emerged in the 1990s and used the internet as both a medium and a platform for artistic expression and communication. Harvey's early works, such as The Endless Forest (2005), a multiplayer online game where players assume the role of deer in a peaceful forest, or The Godlove Museum (1998), a virtual museum that invites visitors to explore different rooms dedicated to various aspects of love, challenged the conventional notions of art, interactivity, and narrative. Harvey's works also reflected her interest in the human condition and the role of technology in shaping our relationships, identities, and emotions.
In recent years, Harvey has expanded her practice to include physical objects that blur the boundaries between the virtual and the real. For example, her series of augmented reality sculptures, such as The Kiss (2017), which depicts two lovers embracing in a digital projection that can only be seen through a smartphone app, or The Garden (2019), which consists of a series of 3D-printed flowers that respond to touch and sound, create immersive and sensual experiences that question the nature of reality and perception. Harvey's works also explore themes such as gender, sexuality, spirituality, and mythology, drawing inspiration from various sources such as ancient cultures, literature, and music.
The exhibition is organized by Regina Harsanyi, Associate Curator of Media Arts at the Museum of the Moving Image. Harsanyi said: "Auriea Harvey is one of the most influential and visionary artists of our time. She has consistently pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and innovation using networked technologies. Her works are not only aesthetically stunning and engaging, but also deeply meaningful and relevant to our contemporary society. We are thrilled to present this comprehensive survey of her work at the Museum of the Moving Image."
The exhibition is supported by Rhizome, an organization that supports and promotes digital art and culture; 4thBin, a company that provides e-waste recycling services; bitforms Gallery, NYC, a gallery that specializes in digital art; and ITP NYU, an interdisciplinary program that explores the creative use of technology.