Introduction
Opening Reception April 24, 7pm
Curated by Robert Grunenberg
Hedonism, escapism, exoticism – across continents, religions and cultures, no other motif conveys these associations more convincingly than the palm tree. The group exhibition Paradise is Now. Palm Trees in Art examines the existence of a modern paradise and delves into the complex iconographic spectrum of a prominent floral symbol. What is behind the popularity of this emblem and what layers of meaning and contradictions are revealed in the process of artistic engagement?
Omnipresent in advertising and social media, the image of the tropical plant conjures up associations of luxury, glamour, jet setting and sunshine. In post-war Europe an expression of modest southern wanderlust, since then the palm has matured in global, secular popular culture to become the universal sign of modern paradises. Especially in the United States, this symbol has become the emblem of the good life and many artists have made it the focus of their visual language.