Adaptation

Josh Kline

02.12 // 04.09

josh kline

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human aspirations, dreams, and plans
human disappointment, exhaustion, and failure
that grew like blood diamonds
in glass and steel and concrete

temporary rented homes for temporary rented lives
rotting, dissolving, and forgotten in the drink

there is oxygen in the water but not for you

stay home if you’re sick
don’t commute in to work
unless the rest of us can’t live without you

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ADAPTATION is Josh Kline’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles and the U.S. premier of his new, 16mm film, Adaptation (2019-2022). Set in a near-future New York City, Adaptation is a short science fiction film that depicts a waterlogged city utterly transformed by the traumatic consequences of today’s ruinous and irresponsible politics and economics. In the wake of these transformations, day to day life carries on for a group of relief workers—essential workers—whose jobs bring them into this new New York. Shot on film and produced using largely analog special effects—scale-models, miniatures, and matte photographs—Adaptation eschews the slick computer generated imagery that powers so much contemporary video art in search of a less seamless and more poetic science fiction. Presented alongside related photo-based works, sculpture, and installation, the exhibition continues the artist's Climate Change project (2019-ongoing), first shown at 47 Canal in the year before the pandemic. Climate Change is part of a larger cycle of installations concerned with the unfolding political, economic, technological, and biological changes that will shape life in the 21st Century.

This exhibition is curated by Catherine Taft. The film is made possible in part by VIA Art Fund. Support for the exhibition is provided by Horizon Art Foundation, the City of West Hollywood, and Chara Schreyer.

Masks and social distancing required at LAXART. For the safety of our guests, we will not be hosting a public reception for the opening of this exhibition. The show will be open during normal operating hours—Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm—beginning February 12, 2022.