Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco presents ‘in Pursuit of Venus [infected]’

Lisa Reihana, detail “in Pursuit of Venus [infected]”, 2015–17, Ultra HD video, colour, 7.1 sound, 64 min. Image courtesy of the artist and New Zealand at Venice. With support of Creative New Zealand and NZ at Venice Patrons and Partners.

‘In Pursuit of Venus [infected]’ in San Francisco The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) are pleased to announce the acquisition and exhibition of the powerful video work in Pursuit of Venus [infected] (2015), by New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana. August 10, 2019 – January 5, 2020]]>

Source: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Panoramic in format, the animated, digital scroll is a moving image interpretation of the 19th-century French scenic wallpaper “Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique (Native Peoples of the South Pacific)” and its romanticized depiction of European explorations in Polynesia.

“The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are committed to questioning dominant narratives and integrating new, diverse points of view throughout our exhibition program. Lisa Reihana is a powerful voice in redefining the history as we know it,” states Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. ”Following on the acquisition of work by The Propeller Group and Carrie Mae Weems, the acquisition and exhibition of ‘in Pursuit of Venus [infected]’ reaffirms the institution’s commitment to pioneering media art, inviting audiences to reconsider the cultural context of our society.”

In its first exhibition in the continental United States, “in Pursuit of Venus [infected]” takes possession of the entire upstairs special-exhibition space at the de Young. The presentation at the de Young includes “Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique” wallpaper and an 18th-century folio with engravings of scenes from captain James Cook’s travels in the Pacific Ocean—both also from the Museums’ holdings.

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