The Lucifer Effect

Reza Aramesh / Gordon Cheung / Brian Duggan / Matt Franks / Anne Hardy / Renata Padovan / Boo Ritson / Neal Rock / Hugh Mendes / Piers Secunda

Curated by Gordon Cheung

Private view on Thurs 4 Oct 2007

In August 1971, social psychologist Philip Zimbardo performed a controversial experiment, one whose results still send a shudder down the spine because of what they reveal about the dark side of human nature. In his book “The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil”, Zimbardo recalls the Stanford Prison Experiment and we witness normal college students randomly assigned to play the role of guard or inmate for two weeks in a simulated prison, yet the guards quickly became so brutal that the experiment had to be shut down after only six days. The experiment suggests that it is the framework, system and institution combined with social pressures to morph into a pattern of a cultural stereotype that encourages ordinary people to commit acts otherwise unthinkable, this transformation is what Zimbardo calls “The Lucifer Effect".

This exhibition of painting, video, photography and sculpture explores with parallell structures to Zimbardo’s experiment surface, systems and multi-dimensional realities that dynamically illuminate perceptions of humanity. Each artist’s use of performative rituals to networks of signifiers range influences from popular to socio-political culture enabling us to glimpse humanity’s heart of darkness and ultimately our individual delusions to hide from the truth about ourselves.

Gallery Primo Alonso
395-397 Hackney Road
London
E2 8PP

open: Thurs - Sun 11am-6pm or by appointment

020 7033 3678
info@primoalonso.com