Adam Curtis
The Desperate Edge of Now
February 11–April 14, 2012 

Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist 
Exhibition design by Liam Gillick 

Opening: 
Saturday, February 11, 6–8pm

Closing event: 
Screening premiere and Adam Curtis in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist
Saturday, April 14, 5pm

A solo exhibition with works by British artist and film maker Adam Curtis will open on Saturday, 11th February, 6.00–8.00 p.m. at E-flux in New York.

The exhibition comprises films by Adam Curtis amongst them
"IT FELT LIKE A KISS" 2009.

The film portrays the phenonemon of cruises which most people know from romanicising television series like "Love Boat" that promise luxury and a better life set in a remote yet unreal world.

Curtis stages his film in documentary format interviewing passengers and crew alike to show their personal view of their cruise.

Cruises formerly known as luxury style holidays, in this case show the first one class cruise, accessible to people from all backgrounds, due to lack of passengers after the introduction of air travel.

With a witty often a little sarcastic access Curtis gives insight to the reality of a cruise portraying lonely women and widows and old men equally bored from life hoping to find new adventure on their journey.

One aspect that could be critisised is the overtly anti-feministic portrayal of women as man hunters with no other choice to catch their perfect match. However, with a little twinkle in the eye a woman reports, being on the second cruise which has less bachelors than the first one except for the interviewer and another man which slightly embaressed him for a moment.

The men interviewed however, seemed equally desperate only with more skills in articulating their hidden agenda.

The actuality of the film is without a doubt high, bearing in mind recent events in Rome and also portraying the gap between the wealthy passengers and the poor crew members however, giving all of them a voice to show their side of the cruise. 

The romanticised image of cruise ship travel is commented upon with a humoristic approach and a certain portion of sarcasm by artist and film maker Adam Curtis and shows us that there are more sides to real life than only one point of view.

All my best,

Daniela Haberz

e-flux
311 East Broadway
New York, NY 10002
Tue–Fri, 12–6pm 

T 212 619 3356

www.e-flux.com