Tourist (single—channel video, 2011) Video project inspired by a XIX—th century idea of so called “black tourism”, and a contemporary debate about ecology, post—colonialism and the fast—growing new economies of Asia and South America.
In this context, the artist explores relation between slums and markets of Mumbai, India and Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
The confusing network of global connections and dependencies becomes a maze, where we all are The Tourist struggling to comprehend the new post—colonial and post—white dominance reality of our times.
Marek Ranis (b. 1968 in Wrocław) — a Polish sculptor, installation— and video artist. Photographer, painter and public art artist.
His work is research extensively and focuses on environmental, social and political issues, which he explores through various media; from large—scale site—specific installations to film. He is the author of more than 50 large—scale environmental installations in United States, Poland, Germany, France, Iceland, Holland, Taiwan and Australia.
He has exhibited extensively and isa prestigious grants laureate and participant of numerous residencies and art symposiums in Europe, United States, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia, i. e. American Scandinavian Foundation NYC (in Upernavik, Greenland); ArtsLink NYC, NY; Spier Sculpture Biennale, Cape Town, South Africa; Floating Land, Noosa, Australia; Artpark, Leviston, NY; Guandu Sculpture Park Intl. Symposium, Taipei, Taiwan; BAER Art Center, Hofsos, Iceland; UNESCO-Aschberg Grant/Ucross Foundation, WY. Participated in more than 100 international solo and group exhibitions.
He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at the Department of Art and Art History, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
