With MORAL CODES, Rowell delves into the realms of ethics, communication, and the evolving digital landscape, inviting viewers to contemplate the moral codes that shape our society.
Firetti Contemporary presents the first solo exhibition of Josh Rowell in the Middle East, titled MORAL CODES and curated by Celine Azem. The exhibition presents a thought-provoking trajectory of Rowell's work, featuring his renowned series such as "Painting Language," "Virtually Fragile," and "Mosaics." This exhibition delves into the realms of ethics, communication, and the evolving digital landscape, inviting viewers to contemplate the moral codes that shape our society.
At the heart of the exhibition lies an installation of Rowell's Painting Language series, inspired by Aesop's fables. These timeless tales, originating from ancient Greece, have traversed cultures and generations, imparting valuable lessons and moral teachings. Rowell's interpretation of these fables serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring importance of moral values in today's world. Through his intricate and captivating artworks, he invites us to reflect on the significance of ethical principles in shaping our individual and collective actions.
Other works from the Painting Language series reflect on ancient mathematics and geometry. Rowell seamlessly merges art, technology, and language, blurring the boundaries between the digital and the tangible. By meticulously hand-painting passages of text, he creates intricate systems of color coding, symbolizing the complex coding systems that underlie our interconnected digital realm. These artworks not only explore the aesthetics of digital communication but also emphasize the value of the hand-made in an increasingly digitized world.
Venturing into the realm of the internet and its rapidly evolving culture, Rowell introduces us to his Mosaics series. These artworks draw inspiration from trending comments found on various social media platforms—comments that range from comical to bizarre, and sometimes even alarming. Just like comment memes that enjoy fleeting popularity before being replaced, these mosaics reflect the ephemerality of online phenomena. Through their creation, Rowell invites us to ponder the archaeological nature of social media feeds, unearthing forgotten fragments that offer a glimpse into the ever-changing landscape of internet discourse.
Lastly, Rowell's Virtually Fragile series sheds light on the fragility of our digital connectivity. These artworks capture the pivotal moment when our connection to the virtual world is severed, plunging us into a realm of abstract chaos. By depicting the loss of connectivity and the disarray that ensues, Rowell prompts us to contemplate our dependence on the digital realm and the potential consequences of its disruption.
MORAL CODES questions and explores ethics, connectivity, and the complexity of our digital existence. Rowell invites us to engage with these profound themes and embark on a journey of introspection, challenging the moral codes that govern our lives.
