Interlaced with conspiracy theories and speculative fiction, Lawrence Lek’s CGI films and virtual worlds explore the geopolitical impact of automation and simulation. His universe is populated with dreamers – intelligent satellites, freedom fighters, fading superstars – all searching for autonomy in a future dominated by data.
For this lecture about the interconnections between his works, Lek will perform a live mix of recent films and video games including Geomancer, 2065, FTSE (Farsight Stock Exchange), and AIDOL. These projects revolve around the ideas theorised in Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD), his video essay about the parallels between Chinese industrialisation and portrayals of AI.
Lawrence Lek is an artist, filmmaker and musician based in London. Recent projects include: AIDOL 爱道, Sadie Coles HQ, London (2019); Unlimited, Art Basel, Switzerland (2019); 2065, K11 Art Space, Hong Kong (2018); Nøtel, Stroom den Haag, Netherlands (2018); Play Station, Art Night, London (2017); The New Normal, UCCA, Beijing (2017); Glasgow International, Tramway, Glasgow (2016); SeMA Biennale Mediacity Seoul, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul (2016); Secret Surface, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin (2016). He studied at the University of Cambridge, the Architectural Association, and the Cooper Union. Lek received the 2017 Jerwood/FVU Award and the 2015 Dazed Emerging Artist Award.
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Organised by Dr Wenny Teo (The Courtauld Institute of Art)
