The University of Hawai‘i Mānoa has been graced with a well-traveled creative presence by way of the exorbitant exhibition known as FAX. Curated by Joao Ribas, FAX is the ever-evolving membrane that started in New York in 2009, and has since traveled the world over, reinventing itself with every stop. FAX implores artists and designers to reimagine the fax machine as a tool, reconfiguring traditional ideas about what it is possible with drawing.
The resulting products challenge contemporary norms in contemporary culture, elevating the technological discourse regarding obsolete materialism. Indeed, there are many shows that feature outdated cell phones and box televisions, but none of them stem from such a singular vision. This show enforces the old vs. new sentiment in every facet of the project, resulting in a comprehensive analysis of 21st century materialism.
The tour has global aspirations, eventually going to Japan, Paris and Mexico along its way. Before Hawai‘i, they were in Marquette, Michigan and Robas and company will head for the San Francisco Arts Commission center after leaving the islands.
When all is said and done, the show will have traveled for over two years across countries, cities, seas and continents, bringing new perspectives to innumerable lives.
Ribas travels with the exhibit, giving insightful lectures about the tour at every stop. He has already spoken at Harvard and Oxford, and is currently the resident curator at the MIT List Visual Arts Center.
He was born in Portugal, and was the former editor of Art Review and LTB Media. He is the winner of three consecutive AICA Awards for Best Exhibition in a Non-Profit Space and of an Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award.
Ribas discussed the projects historical origin, and the many diverse talents that comprise the exhibit. He also called upon local artists to submit artwork to be apart of the show, as they are always trying to incorporate work from wherever they travel. When FAX first started out, they featured roughly 100 artists, but over the past year it has managed to expand exponentially, beckoning to the finest creators in the world.
In its current incarnation the show features work more than 300 artists from diverse and colorful backgrounds.
The project itself is formidable in both style and scope, plucking talent from countries far and wide. The show illustrates the complexity and unpredictability of arts genesis; ideas come and go on a whim.
Those a part of FAX recognize this, and mold that ephemeral mana into tangible works, saturated with ideas. The pieces themselves are fascinating, particularly for the diversity displayed within such a constricted medium.
Though all of the work revolves around fax machine manipulations, the wide array of subject matter is continuously compelling, rewarding the audience with layers of meaning and metaphor. Many of the pieces required several viewings in order to fully comprehend their motives, which is why the gallery is so populated so often.
The exhibit will be on high display until April 5. An exhibition catalog of the works at The Drawing Center will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. and closed on Saturdays. Admission is free and open to the public.