What if we find our souls to be enmeshed in media and fictional imaginings?

That the ghosts of us reside and stir within other vessels or interfaces; our realities (re)written, performed, and embodied even though we know it all to be a story. To describe a feeling through giving it a face — to use it as a mask or a shield. What if I’m more real when I’m projecting?

Ghost in the Machine explores how fiction, anthropomorphisation, and avatars may reflect psychological realities. Interested in memories, spirits, and digital cultures while acknowledging the material impacts and weight they hold, the artists create characters and alternate personas through costume, fan work paraphernalia and puppetry.

Ghost in the Machine brings together Celacious666, Rainer Ciar, Fei Gao and Kalanjay Dhir, whose shared interests in avatars and embodiment were born from fiction and digital cultures. Reliving memories and emotions through roleplay — by creating costume, illustrations and fanwork, the artists manifest alternate personas and characters that give body and form to psychological landscapes. Mediated through degrees of separation, these fantasies are part escapist, part confrontation with being human. In wearing our masks as extensions of ourselves, we may all embody others and share in their lives, loves, and sorrows for a moment.

To read about each artist, click here.

Fei Gao acknowledges SIRC_UIT for providing an opportunity to preview the work.

This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend, engage and explore, respectfully. There will be a licenced bar with non-alcoholic options.

AUDIENCE ADVISORY: Please be aware that some works may include discussions of mental health and stylised depictions of blood.

ACCESSIBILITY: The gallery is wheelchair accessible from the Brunswick St entrance. If you have any specific access needs or questions, please either email admin@outerspacebrisbane.org or send us a message on Instagram.

Image courtesy of Fei Gao.

Outer Space is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Australian Government through Creative Australia and the Outer Space community.