Celia Eberle’s Artpace exhibition, She, is a reimagining of the story of Eve that marries contemporary themes of artificial intelligence with biblical allegory. Through a combination of beauty, horror, and humor, the installation dissects female iconography and mankind’s pursuit of modern technology.
The central feature of the exhibition is a large, animatronic hand—furry and white with red nails. As visitors enter the space, the hand periodically drums its fingers in sync with a programmed sequence of music and lighting effects, creating a rhythmic experience that lasts for five minutes and then pauses for 15 minutes before restarting. The mechanical hand symbolizes Eve, re-envisioned as a monstrous figure who embodies both ancient and modern forms of fear, control, and blame.
Through umbilical-like electronic cords, Eve draws viewers toward cast paper anatomical hearts embedded with found objects. These vessels reflect various small worlds or realities that Eve is responsible for. Eve is seen here as both the harborer of life via the womb, and the deific monster who once chose sin. Eberle plays with the trope of the seductive and divine Eve. Both technological and ancient, She pulls literal strings and manipulates the world as depicted in scripture.
Red light soaks the space, representing power, blood, passion, and the fury of a woman scorned by history. On the West Wall, an oversized pomegranate and a large painting on foam insulation board depict the landscape of Eden. The pomegranate is an ancient mythological symbol of fertility. Eberle challenges conventional interpretations of the Eden narrative and refocuses on the idea of complexity and abundance that women foster.
Throughout the exhibition, Eberle mines the topic of contemporary culture and its obsession with technology, suggesting that artificial intelligence advancements fold into historical and mythological folklore. Eberle suggests that humans, in defiance of universal truths, continue to seek a jobless future for women as further punishment for choosing forbidden fruit, desire, and a taste for life beyond the shadow of Adam.
At Artpace, Celia Eberle examines and finds beauty in the human need for motivation and belief. She invites viewers to reflect and reconsider the narratives that shape precedence, casting the greater understanding of ourselves through both the ancient and technological gods that we worship.
–Ada Smith Genitempo, Residencies and Exhibitions Manager
