en

ENRIC MAURÍ | THE GREAT PARTY

enric mauri 02THE GREAT PARTY
Exhibition by Enric Maurí

20.02.2015 - 18.04.2015

Opening, 20th February at 7 pm
ACVic Centre d'Arts Contemporànies (Sant Francesc, 1 Vic)

The art project The Great Party takes the current socioeconomic situation, and the consequential effects of the crisis upon us, as its starting point. It is the result of an open, horizontal and shared debate, starting out by considering the rhythms of acceleration and deceleration which the economy has suffered since the end of the twentieth century to the present day, and which, as a consequence, covers all areas : labour, social, cultural ... and above all the quality of life of a large part of the population.



The project started in 2010 with a call through social networks to search and identify anyone interested in collaborating in subsequent actions. Those who voluntarily took part explained clearly how the crisis has affected them, what changes it has caused in their respective lives, and also gave their opinion about the situation in general. 

It is a project which aims to approach very closely to collaborators, involving them in the process, while also making reference to how the crisis started, and how it is explained. Searching through the communications media, the project incorporates highlights of the state of economic euphoria prior to 2010 (when it became apparent in Spain), and shows how the government displays vainglorious pride in the country's success. Economic and financial operations, which in many cases were demonstrably extremely speculative, high risk actions which have put the global economy against the ropes, and which have directly affected the middle class. A selection of this information was transferred to banners as part of the installation.

The whole installation sets out the ambience of a hangover, simulating the day after in a space where a great party has taken place, attempting to cause sensations of dizziness and confusion in the viewer. The intention of the audiovisual is not to make an interpretation of or a reflection upon how the crisis is affecting the world economy, but of how the consequences of this crisis and this turning point in the economic system, and in life in the western world in general, has begun to change our individual realities. 

In the mid-80s, brokers and yuppies were models to be imitated, images combining stress and success. The predatory dynamism of the modern economy would come to continuously destroy what it had created in order to grow and to go on producing.

At a certain point, massive speculation and the infernal rhythm of the economy came to be seen as a danger, an unhealthy way of living, precipitating an abrupt change due to speculative and abusive investment behaviour, which led not only to an economic crisis but also to a crisis of values and of confidence.

With the loss of prestige of this system, some have chosen to organise their lives to achieve the greatest possible independence. Concepts such as downshifting, eco-networks or slow food, are seen today as role models and new realities. This also means new ways of organising ourselves socially, with a greater emphasis on community, to which social networks and digital platforms have contributed significantly. Also in the exhibition, some of the answers which society has begun to generate, subversive or alternatives proposals by activists, organisations or citizens' movements, are reflected.

You are here: Home Exhibition Projects ENRIC MAURÍ | THE GREAT PARTY