We’re not ready to announce this event in full, but it’s going to be our big year-end celebration (12/21 will be PhilaMOCA’s final event of 2012). PhilaMOCA is handling the talent, the Center for Media and Destiny the scholarly aspects/art curation. Read on…

IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD (AGAIN!)

An art show of apocalyptic proportions.

Opening Wednesday, December 19, 6:00 PM

Yes, it’s that time. It’s coming on December 21, 2012. It’s the end of the world, yet again! Is there a better place to await our demise than in a mausoleum, albeit one retrofitted as a gallery space for exploring the apocalypse in art, movies, and multimedia presentations? You don’t need a Mayan calendar to imagine the end of the world, for apocalyptic scenarios have long been popular, from the myth of Plato’s Atlantis to movies like MELANCHOLIA. This three-night event will explore why there are so many apocalyptic scenarios in the new millennium. The art and presentations will provide mind-expanding ideas and apocalyptic fun as we explore the end of the world: why humans are so fascinated with doomsday and what it means, if anything.

The opening art reception of this three-night symposium will be held on Wednesday, December 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. The reception will be followed by a multimedia presentation on apocalyptic sci-fi and the evening will climax with a screening of the original THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL accompanied by a live theremin score by Mano Divina.

Submissions: We are seeking apocalypse/end of the world-themed submissions from artists of all disciplines. To ensure a variety of art for the exhibition, preference will be given to submissions that focus on one of the twelve apocalyptic themes listed below. Think of it as “12 Apocalypses for 2012.”

Biological – viruses, pandemics, contagions, etc.

Ecological – environmental destruction, resource depletion, etc.

Technological – technology running amok.

Economic – runaway government spending and consumer debt, financial meltdowns, etc.

Urban – decay of cities and apocalyptic urban landscapes.

Nature – apocalypses effected by forces of nature, such has hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.

Intellectual – the rapidly declining scientific literacy in America and the general dumbing down of society.

Virtual – the end of “reality” as effected by proliferating media culture; the Jean Baudrillard scenario; the issues posed by David Cronenberg in EXISTENZ, David Lynch in INLAND EMPIRE, or THE MATRIX.

The Singularity – the end of “humanity” as we know it, if we merge with microchips and digital media technology; the Ray Kurzweil scenario.

Cosmic – the end of humanity and civilization when annihilated by a meteor or supernova (etc.); what would it mean?

Philosophical – nihilism and the possible end of meaning, effected by big bang cosmology and the expanding universe; the issues posed by films like MELANCHOLIA (and various Woody Allen films).

Nuclear – the Cold War is over, but 20,000 nukes are still out there.

Please, no art on the Zombie Apocalypse, Extraterrestrial Apocalypse, or the Mayan “prophecies,” as those apocalypses are way overdone.

Send digital files or photos of submissions to curator Genevieve Gillespie (genevieve@mediaanddestiny.org). Links are preferred for six or more entries. $20 participation fee per selected piece of artwork; 100% of sales go to the artist (artists must handle all shipping arrangements/costs involved).

Deadline for submissions: Monday, December 3, 2012

Accepted Art Deliver: Drop-offs of accepted art can be made at PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12thStreet) on December 17 and 18 from Noon-6pm and by appointment. Work must be hang-ready and prepared for installation.

Additional symposium programming will be announced shortly.

Contact:

Genevieve Gillespie, Curator

Genevieve@mediaanddestiny.org