Juxtapoz Magazine – Jeremy Olson “This Time of Monsters” @ Unit London

“The old earth is dying and the new entire world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.” – Antonio Gramsci

Jeremy Olson’s hottest solo exhibition with Unit London destinations his common cast of otherworldly creatures at the centre of an apocalyptic world. this time of monsters draws its title from Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci’s reflections on interregnum. Interregnum, an historic Roman time period, signifies a interval of prolonged transition in between historical phases. Olson situates his exhibition in this condition of in-betweenness, commenting on our latest time period of societal, political, financial and environmental uncertainty. All through these suggestions of catastrophe and collapse, nevertheless, Olson’s exhibition under no circumstances extinguishes a perception of hope and humour. In spite of appearances, these monsters are depicted as kind and nurturing, baffled and introspective and, occasionally, they just want to get together.

Olson has been attracted to the idea of monsters considering the fact that childhood, an interest that stems from his like of cinema. The artist grew up watching frightening films, the 1950s Godzilla films and David Cronenberg’s human body horror. As an grownup, Olson’s fascination with monsters takes shape in their opportunity which means as one thing metaphorical, socio-political or psychoanalytical. Listed here, the notion of a monster is an emblem of upheaval and immense transform. 

In certain, the artist’s sculptures bookend these ideas of catastrophe. The premier is a diorama of a monster with a youngster, reclining in a decimated sports arena. The lizard-like creature by itself is an apparent reference to Kaiju (Godzilla) and the composition is reminiscent of architectural products. The monster holds up the carriage of a destroyed monorail, questioning its indicating with a stunned expression, although simultaneously nursing an infant. Olson performs with point of view, not only with actual physical standpoint by way of the scale of his sculptural composition, but also with our personal perspective of the monstrous. Here, the artist unexpectedly explores the subjectivity of a monster, reconciling it with something human by encouraging us to relate to its bewildered expression and its maternal marriage. Likewise, Olson’s smaller sized sculptures humorously conflate the monstrous and the human as gentleman-manufactured constructions are created on the remnants of very long-useless monsters. A rollercoaster sprouts from a decaying reptilian foot and a children’s slide grows from a clawed hand. These incongruous references to leisure and participate in stand for Olson’s overarching suggestions of rebirth and rebuilding.

Even with Olson’s explorations of the apocalyptic and the catastrophic, this time of monsters continues to be imbued with the artist’s characteristic sense of humour. His anthropomorphic creatures are instantly relatable as they are unerringly distracted by a display, a consume or by each individual other as the planet will come to an finish. this time of monsters takes satisfaction in the present and reminds us of the options that can manifest in complicated conditions, hanging a stability among a sense of acknowledgement and hope. Olson’s depictions of these monstrously summary fears inevitably give way to universal thoughts of the interpersonal, reminding us often to see ourselves in other folks.