On March 21 2010 we burned down our gallery. Its strange to think about a virtual organization going virtualer. Due to the fact that more and more of our work existed in different worlds or often between worlds we decided to let go of our home. We are now digital nomads wandering from realm to realm. The Ars Virtua Gallery and New Media Center had a long and illustrious history with an impressive roster of artist exhibitions and performances. This is not an end as much as it is a rebirth.

The performance of destruction was carried out by Second Front. The building burned and crumbled to the ground. Then a war broke out in the ruins, it was all very poetic, and by morning all that was left was a small crater full of green grass. I took several photos of the event, and a discussion thread grew spontaneously out of one of them. Many old friends that helped establish Ars Virtua in its fledgling years returned for one last hurrah. It was good to catch up with familiar “faces” before we were all set ablaze with flame throwers and nukes. A post gallery performance was held a week later by Selavy Oh and Qiezli Hixantapo. Dealing with the life and afterlife of the space. We all went to heaven… for a little while.

The members of Ars Virtua are not stopping what they do or even slowing down. We have a new intern, Jen (Aliah Nakajima), keeping us on track and a new show opening in Chilbo.

Linkies:
Rubaiyat: Ars Virtua is Burning
Facebook Thread
Photos
ArsVirtua.com