‘Realism’ is often presumptively pessimistic. An avowal of ‘unidealised reality’ often resembles pessimistic idealism. What, then, might a contemporary unidealised realism in art look like or feel like? What role do pessimism and optimism play in determining how realistic a representation of reality is? What about the dynamics of virtuosity and impoverishment, as wielded by the artist? Does depth inevitably correspond with truth? Should this be understood literally? Are clothes perfidious? Is this slick surface right here any less realistic than the copious, unknown dark gubbins beneath it? Is conflict intrinsic to dramatic realism? Is grittiness a grift? What could an expanded conception of digital realism entail?

Ed Atkins will host workshops, readings, viewings, discussions, performances, and guest spots, thinking through some of the less traversed, more convoluted kinds of artistic realism. Starting from the debatable assumption that colloquial, presumptive realism tends towards the pessimistic or depressive, Atkins and his guests will chart a spotty course through historical realism, naturalism, realisticness, and existentialism before veering into dirty, banal, anti-illusionary, postmodern, minimalist, and subtractive realisms—realisms that are excessively artificial but which feel, precisely because of their artificiality, exceptionally true to life—real.

Director
Annie Ratti
Associate Director
Lorenzo Benedetti
Gregorio Magnani