Surfeit

Gimmicks are part-functioning objects, providing a kind of aesthetic autonomy that is both repulsive and irresistible. Originally employed by magicians to captivate and mislead audiences, today, gimmicks have infiltrated the DNA of almost every object sold in the free market. Gimmicks promise heightened productivity while simultaneously reducing the temporal and spatial requirements for production. Paradoxically, rather than utilizing this newfound time and space for rejuvenative purposes, they provide an opportunity to further intensify production efforts. Devices like the TV dinner tray, laptop, or bed tray blur the boundaries between work, leisure, and consumption; amalgamating them into a singular point in time and space. This fusion implies that individuals are continually caught in a cycle of production and consumption, never reaching a true state of rest. In the context of this exhibition, the tray becomes a flattening gimmick, functioning as a conveyor for artistic production.