The Soothsayings of Iris
«The Soothsayings of Iris» is the first collaboration between Swiss based artists Lauren Huret (1984, Paris) and Maria Guta (1983, Bucharest). Based on the «73 Questions» Vogue format and inquiring the «viral» type formats by highlighting their awkwardness and problematic aspects, as well as the impact of their instant worldwide broadcasting – this prophetic satire is an interview with a fictive character, mash-up of several intriguing public figures that populate our networks. Inspired by their adoptive Swiss environment and the US West Coast, the artists are fascinated by the spread of specific ideologies like new-age mysticism, tech gurus and the phenomenon of over-hyped celebrities. The piece is a commentary on how we deal with digital identity and the influence of media representation on the collective psyche.
«The Soothsayings of Iris», a video work that we want parodic, syncretic, strange and disturbing, is a commentary on what nourishes us and what challenges us on a daily basis. Our landscapes are constituted by new media and social networks.
«It seems essential to us to re-appropriate imposed forms and formats to get rid of a «media bewitchment», which requires constant analysis and questioning.»
