Social Pathology is an audiovisual commentary on the unseen elements of our modus vivendi that contribute to the general degradation in lifestyle currently experienced by many people in the world. The artists find it important to draw attention to endemic forces in current society which lead continually to the degradation of the personal social framework in order to favor the elements of an unenlightened hegemony. These forces, like viruses and bacteria, go unnoticed because they are subtle, or ignored, or simply misunderstood. The goal of this exhibition is to inform and enlighten the public through an immersive atmosphere and a compelling series of codes and patterns.

Much of the art has its roots in a project begun several years ago by painter Jason Benedict, who found the media attention surrounding the Anthrax scares almost as bad as potential threat itself. Which was more dangerous, he wondered ; the potential outbreak of Anthrax, or the manipulation of an all-too-gullible public by a select few who steered the media – and the world – to accomplish their own personal ends?

At around the same time, Xarkos Ataktos’ attempts to convince friends, relatives and others in the United States that the course of action then under consideration was ill-founded remained ineffective. The fundamental problem as he saw it was the basic reluctance of even thinking individuals to ask some very basic questions. This was obviously compounded by the “information barrier” in place around the United States which had reached epidemic proportions.

The two met up serendipitously in Berlin and began talking about their experiences. It wasn’t long before they realized a potential collaboration was more than an interesting idea ; it would become almost an imperative! They set to work hammering out the outline for what would become “Social Pathology,” and enlisted contributions of a few additional artists whose work passed agreeably well with the theme along the way.

 

The Artwork