The Rapa Nui people of Easter island are perhaps most well known for their monolithic human figures the Moai. These mysterious carved effigies could weigh in excess of 80 tonnes and have fascinated archaeologists and tourists for centuries. But for Astrobiologists, the Rapa Nui represent an uncanny model civilization, one that once thrived, but then collapsed. It is believed that Poleponesian people began colonizing Easter island around 400-700 CE, the abundant natural resources and comfortable climate made Easter island an ideal environment for an isolated civilization to flourish. The extremely remote island was effectively a closed ecosystem with minimal trade or communication with the outside world. By 1,200 CE the Rapa Nui had developed a highly sophisticated culture with a thriving population of 10,000 people that lasted until about 1,500 CE, it was during this time that many of the Moai were erected. By the time Europeans arrived at Easter Island in 1722, the population had fallen to 2,000. This type of collapse is consistent with population models that approximate the effects of over-consumption of natural resources within a closed biosphere. It is believed that the Rapa Nui depleted their available resources while destroying their environment, and once they did so, they lacked the technical capacity to to save their civilization. Once they realized that they were in trouble, it was too late.
ELEVATOR MONDAYS is excited to announce DEATH SHOW, the second chapter of THE GREAT FILTER TRILOGY. Building on the narrative arch that began with our previous exhibition, EX NIHILO, DEATH SHOW explores the long-term repercussions, or Planetary Feedback that may face a technologically sophisticated civilization that harvests energy from the finite natural resources of its biosphere. Inlight of the recent IPCC report on Climate Change it has become unreasonable to ignore the coming mortal impact of global warming, this exhibition attempts to serve as a reminder that all stories must end.
Come celebrate Halloween and the first day of Dia de Muertos with us for a special Wednesday Opening this Wednesday, Oct 31, 7-10pm. Costumes are encouraged, please BYOB. DEATH SHOW will be on view Mondays and by appointment through December 10th.
Ian Hokin is a painter who combines a comics-inspired graphic style with viruostic technical ability to create humorous and contemplative scenes often involving stylized characters and personal allegory. Ian James is a interdisciplinary photographer whose shamanic photo-objects often combine images with custom supports and found material to create new-age reliquaries. In addition to his art production, James is founder of Leroy’s (happy place) in Chinatown. Mervin Jules was an American Social Realist painter active from 1935 until his death in 1994. Erin Morrison makes low-relief sculpture cast in plaster that reflect her relationship to feminism and Los Angeles flora. Morrison is founding member of Gallery Artist Reform, Los Angeles, or GAR_LA. Molly Surazhsky returns for with a new iteration of her wall vinyl Mashacare with Bull, 2018 originally featured in EX NIHILO. Pamela Valfer is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily between video and installation, her research-based practice often combines vernacular media with political critique through subtle architectural interventions.
ELEVATOR MONDAYS is an artist-run curatorial project inside a converted freight elevator founded by Don Edler. The project focuses on bringing together working artists in a social exhibition space to foster dialogue and community through exhibitions and special programing. ELEVATOR MONDAYS is open Mondays from 7PM-10PM and by appointment.
- Text by Don Edler
