The information age has yielded new formats of art-making and curatorial opportunities. Last December at Art Basel Miami, for example, a gallery exhibited only animated .gifs culled from the various websites. Now in Tryon, a collection of more than 100 images created and edited via cellphones and tablets is currently on display at Upstairs ArtSpace. Cumulatively, Upload acknowledges a new era of creative expression now accessible to a broad range of people. Furthermore, the line between artist and non-artist is blurred when these types of photos are shown in a gallery setting. After placing an informal cyber-call for mobile-phone pictures, Upstairs ArtSpace received responses from as far away as Turkey. Participants emailed the gallery their images, which were then printed and pinned to the wall, close together, running the length of the gallery, as if in a scroll on a phone. What is meant to be viewed on an LCD screen, lit from behind, does not always translate suitably onto paper, but the transference of media is intriguing to consider. A compelling documentation of contemporary culture emerges within the imagery. Upload will be on display until March 2. More at upstairsartspace.org
Thanks for reading through to the end…
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.