fake it till you make iT

Andy Kassier, Christian Falsnaes, Isabella Fürnkäs, Basim Magdy, Pia Sirén, Marianne Vlaschits, Anna Witt

MEET FACTORY PRAgue

14.04–27.05.2018

The exhibition »Fake it till you make it« at the Center for Contemporary Art MeetFactory in Prague takes on the increasing trend of pushing oneself to a more efficient and improved persona through different strategies and methods proposed in ‘self-help’ books. In times when life becomes a performance due to the permanent attachment to and accessibility of (social) media, it hardly comes as a surprise that we turn to self-help books and their appealing promises of healthier, happier and more successful lives.

In a humorous manner this exhibition presents three chapters on core themes in self-help culture: »Fulfill your potential«, »Be religious about your workout« and »Take a deep breath«. With this, the show mirrors existing self-improvement tactics such as introducing rituals to your life, establishing forms of self-marketing or positive thinking and getting out of your comfort zone.

The audience can expect artworks – including new commissions – that introduce methods and strategies on how to increase one’s well-being or gain a winning position in society. Some of the artworks reflect a shiny and glamorous vision of reality, while others reveal a behind-the-scenes view of many self-help approaches and their pseudo-philosophies.

With the kind support by MeetFactory Prague, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, Federal Chancellery of Austria and Rakouské kulturní fórum v Praze.

14.04.–27.05.2018
OPENING Friday 13.04.2017 7.00–9.00pm

MeetFactory
Ke sklárne 3213/15, 150 00 Praha 5

www.meetfactory.cz

Images top - bottom: 

Corporate Design for »Fake it till you make« it by Marek Nedelka.

»Fake it till you make it« (install view) 2018. MeetFactory, Prague. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Isabella Fürnkäs »Unpredictable Liars« (detail) 2017. 5 figures, mixed media, fabric, oil sticks on paper. Courtesy the artist and Clages Gallery, Cologne. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Isabella Fürnkäs »Unpredictable Liars« (install view) 2017. 5 figures, mixed media, fabric, oil sticks on paper. Courtesy the artist and Clages Gallery, Cologne. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Basim Magdy »The Future of your Head« 2008. Two-way mirror, willow wood, Christmas lights and electric wiring. Courtesy the artist and Hunt Kastner Gallery, Prague. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Andy Kassier »the science of happiness« 2016. Marble, engraved. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Andy Kassier »the secret to my success« 2015. Marble book, engraved. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Pia Sirén »Oasis« (entrance view) 2018. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Pia Sirén »Oasis« (install view) 2018. oasis, noun: 1. a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found. (synonyms: watering hole, watering-place, water hole, spring) 2. a pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult or hectic place or situation. (synonyms: refuge, haven, safe haven, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum, shelter, resting place, hiding place, harbor, asylum, hideaway, hideout). Scaffolding, plastic foils, fans, spotlights, sound, dimensions variable. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Christian Falsnaes »Now (Emy Chauveau)« 2013. Video, color, and sound. Courtesy the artist and PSM Gallery, Berlin. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Anna Witt »Sixty Minutes Smiling« 2014. 2-channel video work, color, and sound. Courtesy the artist and Tanja Wagner Gallery, Berlin. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Images top - bottom: 

Corporate Design for »Fake it till you make« it by Marek Nedelka.

»Fake it till you make it« (install view) 2018. MeetFactory, Prague. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Isabella Fürnkäs »Unpredictable Liars« (detail) 2017. 5 figures, mixed media, fabric, oil sticks on paper. Courtesy the artist and Clages Gallery, Cologne. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Isabella Fürnkäs »Unpredictable Liars« (install view) 2017. 5 figures, mixed media, fabric, oil sticks on paper. Courtesy the artist and Clages Gallery, Cologne. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Basim Magdy »The Future of your Head« 2008. Two-way mirror, willow wood, Christmas lights and electric wiring. Courtesy the artist and Hunt Kastner Gallery, Prague. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Andy Kassier »the science of happiness« 2016. Marble, engraved. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Andy Kassier »the secret to my success« 2015. Marble book, engraved. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Pia Sirén »Oasis« (entrance view) 2018. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Pia Sirén »Oasis« (install view) 2018. oasis, noun: 1. a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found. (synonyms: watering hole, watering-place, water hole, spring) 2. a pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult or hectic place or situation. (synonyms: refuge, haven, safe haven, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum, shelter, resting place, hiding place, harbor, asylum, hideaway, hideout). Scaffolding, plastic foils, fans, spotlights, sound, dimensions variable. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Marianne Vlaschits »I Swim Through A River Of Stars, To Drown In The Ocean Of Space« (install view) 2018. Textile, paintings, costumes, sports barbell, sound. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Christian Falsnaes »Now (Emy Chauveau)« 2013. Video, color, and sound. Courtesy the artist and PSM Gallery, Berlin. Photo: Tomáš Souček.

Anna Witt »Sixty Minutes Smiling« 2014. 2-channel video work, color, and sound. Courtesy the artist and Tanja Wagner Gallery, Berlin. Photo: Tomáš Souček.