Entering into MCA’s latest exhibition wasn’t just a simple walk through a gallery; it was a transformative adventure through a dynamic visual wonderland. From the moment I stepped into Rist’s exhibition, I felt invited to explore the relationship between nature, the body and technology through her eyes. Rist really does implore you to interact with her works, which is reflected in the title of the exhibition itself. Through the manipulation of light and projection technology, the exhibition curates an atmosphere of surrealism that audiences are invited to take at their own pace.
Most works come with accompanying lounge spaces where guests can sit or lie for as long as they like. Different areas house everything from pillows to beds and even a secluded room featuring two giant sofas facing an old television set with a comically large remote that leaves it up to the patron as to which work they view. ​Once inside the exhibition, it feels as if all sense of time and place have been suspended. There is no linear structure to viewing the works, and if you don’t pursue your curiosity, it would be easy to miss some of the most interesting features.
The exhibition’s main strength lay in its ability to be consumed at a pace decided upon by the audience. Each work was endless, meaning that I could sit and watch for hours or glimpse as I passed by. Allowing viewers to physically move between artworks was an incredibly interesting dynamic that really put the viewer into the world of the art. The video art itself covered themes from escapism to dreams, self image and everything in between. Rist used the natural landscape and the human body as a reoccurring motif in her films which explored the relationship between the two and their ever-connectedness.