Gibson + Recoder

Object Lessons in Obsolescence (2005–2025)

University Art Gallery, Cal Poly 

 

On View: September 25–October 24, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 25, 5–7pm

Gallery Walkthrough: Thursday, September 25, 5–5:30pm

Artist Talk: Friday, September 26, 1pm in 180-107

 

An installation of film and video works by Gibson + Recoder spanning two decades, Object Lessons in Obsolescence, features many of their signature pieces in which the materiality of the media object itself overshadows its original use value as a mere functional “medium” for the moving image. In what is perhaps their most well-known work, Light Spill, a 16mm film projector is missing a take-up reel so that the film falls on the floor, turning the gallery space into an hourglass marking cinematic time. The gesture of the spill is replayed in a more recent series of works involving large quantities of iron-oxide coated magnetic mylar tape found in VHS video cassettes. VHS (Dropout), VHS (Multicasting), and other pieces in this series repurpose remnants of the obsolete Video Home System. The parallel installation of film and video works is this exhibition is aimed at fostering intermedia dialogue not only between the obsolete media artefacts on display, but also between the materiality of an earlier media culture and our current digital media hegemony which tends to overvalue immateriality.

www.gibsonrecoder.com

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Proceeding the opening of the exhibition, the University Art Gallery will be open Tuesdays through Saturday, 11am-4pm. As always, the gallery is free and open to the public; however, we do receive charitable donations that support our operations and exhibitions: University Art Gallery - Giving.