Mis/Communication: Language and Power in Contemporary Art

Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson

Deep and meaningful connections can be difficult in today’s society, which seems odd since we now have more ways to communicate than ever before. With the use of technology and social media, we can connect with people around the world with a tap of our fingers. And yet, our ability to communicate effectively with one another appears to be strained. Mis/Communication: Language and Power in Contemporary Art, an exhibition at The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz through November 3, showcases video, sculpture, drawing, and interactive media artworks by contemporary artists who explore the power of language in a cultural context.

Communication is a vital part of human interaction. At a young age, we have the inherent need to express feelings, share ideas, and understand each other. Conversely, our language can make us feel isolated depending upon our upbringing and access. Amy Kahng’s curatorial vision for this exhibit has been in the works for years. In 2016, Kahng was living in Seoul, South Korea without speaking much of the language. She was able to get by with what she knew and because she spoke English. “People learn English at a very young age to be successful in the international space,” Kahng said. “I started thinking more about language and the privilege I have.”

Work by Carmen Argote, Frédéric Bruly Bouabré, Jesse Chun, Jisoo Chung, Dahn Gim, Jennifer Chia-Ling Ho, dulce soledad ibarra, Jake Duczynski and Angelina Joshua, Gala Porras Kim, Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader, Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez, Kim Schoen, Clarissa Tossin, and Han Yohan examine issues such as how European languages remain as colonial instruments in the global south and how other languages, dialects, and linguistic practices are censured around the world.

Some overarching themes showcase the way English has a dominating power globally, however, it’s not only about English. Some works show how Spanish and Portuguese were brought through Catholic Ministries around the 16th century. There are also interactive components to the exhibition such as the collaboration between Angelina Joshua and Jake Ducznyski called, My Grandmother’s Lingo, 2016. This digitally animated documentary game teaches players Marra, an endangered Aboriginal language. Artist Angelina Joshua’s grandmother is one of only three remaining individuals who can fluently speak Marra.

“Language is something we take for granted,” Kahng continues. “We don’t think about the ways there are inherent biases in the language we are using - this exhibit is helpful to reshift and reframe understanding.”

Although very serious subject matter, the works themselves use humor and playfulness. They use relatable situations like Jisoo Chung’s Museum Manners for Siri. In this video, Chung shows how Apple’s voice-recognition technology misunderstands the artist’s voice, revealing the implicit bias of AI against non-native English speakers with accents. Her work acts out the transcription results, which, if you have ever asked Siri or Google a question or used a talk-to-text feature, you are aware of the absurd outcomes that can occur.

This exhibition is on the fifth and final location of its tour. Make sure to check it out before it closes on November 3.

If you go:
Mis/Communication: Language and Power in Contemporary Art
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive (GPS: 75 S. Manheim Boulevard), New Paltz, NY 12561
Open through November 3, 2024
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, holidays, and intersession
Contact: (845) 257-3844
www.newpaltz.edu/museum/exhibitions/miscommunication/