Aliens have landed at the Corcoran. Futuristic, tourist aliens no less — with a great interest in neoclassical architecture. Sent to Earth via artist Ellen Harvey’s imagination and artwork, these aliens provide a fresh interpretation of the classic building style that can be found throughout history and around the globe.
‘The Alien’s Guide to the Ruins of Washington, DC’ is an exhibit that explores the influence of classicism, the dissemination of style, and the language of power.
Communicating using pieces like an upside down Grecian column and a painted hotdog stand, Harvey uses an extraterrestrial vantage point to shed light on the bizarreness of our world.
“This architecture has a lot of meaning for a lot of different people,” Harvey explained. “The aliens also love it
and (just like everyone else), think it represents them. They want to figure out who created it. But you’ll see through their explanation – they get it wrong!”
All in black and white (the aliens are colour blind), this site-specific project now on view is the latest in the ‘NOW at the Corcoran’ series, the Gallery’s contemporary art program dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging and mid-career artists. Harvey’s exhibition will be available from July 3rd until October 6th, 2013.
