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The early 21st century of art will be remembered for a stylization of opacity (blankness) that, regardless of whether or not it actually did, connoted intention to mean. Silvered photographs with surrealist orbs hovering. That there exists a connotation or affect of meaning that remains separate from it, acting to totemize objects as clues styled to conjure the affect of signification. Much more apparent in group shows as the objects become disenchanted from their significant network. That what we find profound might be a mannerism.
"The fact that there were two of them signifies the end of any original reference. [...] Only the doubling of the sign truly puts an end to what it designates." -Baudrillard
See too: Group Show at Salle Principale, Merlin Carpenter at MD 72