CURA.

Here we are again, sending out well wishes to be reunited again from afar; across a continent, over an ocean, and sometimes just down the street. This recurring pattern of our lives has become regrettably predictable. Neïl Beloufa, like all good artists, has the ability to tell stories that prepare us for what’s coming. These aren’t stories in the bougie or post-bougie sense; those that make the viewer think they are the character at the centre of the story. Neïl’s stories are more like myth-making, where the political process and struggle of the community are embedded within, never a centralized point perception, ultimately providing narratives for us to understand in common and work through together.

Almost a decade ago, in 2014, I invited Neïl to join me in the Canadian Rockies mountain range for a residency and to make an exhibition. He brought most of his studio team then, and they produced the film at the heart of this exhibition. Back then it was called Home is Wherever I’m With You, and I described it as a goofy, soap-opera-like comedy of errors and disinformation, set in the context of a global pandemic all told through skype calls between the characters. Then the myth we made became real, so the film was re-edited into a mini-series and was given an extra layer of engagement, games.

When you join us in person, you’ll be greeted, hosted, guided, and sometimes distracted by three avatars in the exhibition space; the yellow bot, the blue bot, and the red bot. These characters are an amalgamation of ebb.global’s community, and they compete to gain your attention; the most valuable resource these days. But you have to pay attention to what the characters in the film say too. This isn’t a biennial where you should just catch five mins to get the vibe and move on. The knowledge you gain from staying with the film chapters will be enough for you to play some games and quizzes inside the space. This is like Robert Filliou’s eternal network, meets the shitty sims game Instagram keeps advertising to you, inside an immersive cinema. If you gain enough tokens in these challenges you’ll be able to acquire artworks that you can take home with you in your hands, and also in your crypto wallet. The interfaces take some time getting used to. The keyboards aren’t what you’re used to either, but they work, we promise. Note, they may invoke some neuroplasticity, by getting you to learn anew and acclimatize. If you get stumped, fret not; just go find the central room, with a cinema in the round responsive space that interacts with your body’s movement. Perform in here, and you’ll get some codes to get you through the games. In here you’ll also meet some notable figures like Bill Clinton and Milli Vanilli on cheaters’ beach, who will shame you if you try to collect too many codes.

We can try to redesign value and culture with you, but one thing stays true, we can’t take away the unchill vibes of just riding on the backs of others. This show is an embodiment of the Web3 space; gamified content, segmented and unlocked by your commitment to it. Like a matryoshka doll or any good artwork… the layers can be peeled away over time. A game of lock and keys ensues. A new form of storytelling and world-making is born. This is just the beginning. Hold onto your tokens and NFTs gained here because they’ll allow you to access future engagements, both online and IRL. We can stay in touch, and not just with some likes. Until next time; have fun, build with us, and tell your friends. Let’s keep making myths together.

Jesse McKee