Daniel Askill’s exhibition furthers his exploration of ritual in a modern context...
Client. Daniel Askill
Project. Modern Worship
He began this investigation with his 2004 film, We Have Decided Not to Die, followed by a 2009 solo show, Artifacts From The Fifth Ritual. Modern Worship marks the next phase in this body of work.
In this exhibition, Askill explores two major events of the last decade – the atrocities of 9/11 and the death of the 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson – and could be considered a response to J.G. Ballard's The Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy Considered as a Downhill Motor Race. The work explores how a re-contextualising or less conventional interpretation of these grim events may help us view them from a new perspective.
This exhibition centres upon a large-scale projection of a striking slow motion video tableau, a looping installation that draws on elements of pop culture, Hollywood spectacle, global disaster, idolatry and what constitutes a religion. Further works include sculpture, small screen video and photographic editions.
This exhibition was first presented by Gallery A.S. in a former church and landmark Darlinghurst Beaux Arts style monument. Gallery A.S is Joseph Allen Shea’s roaming gallery project, presenting both local and international art in a series of impermanent exhibitions in specially selected venues.