Movies have been replaced by interactive live streaming events. MJ returns to the stage as a spectral hologram from beyond the grave, as psychic retromania gains virtual corporality. Living recording artists no longer tour, but host one off spectaculars – tickets to which sell in nanoseconds for thousands of pounds, purchased by the rich who own tailor made sniping algorithms, whilst the world’s consumer underclass watch at a distance through pay-per-view retinal screens. Increasing bandwidth has enabled the population to live-stream their own lives, gaining personal resolution through high definition, as Endemol looks on from the sidelines and cherry picks its new reality stars for syndication. The Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion is sponsored by Instagram, as the Arsenale is filled with photogenic immersive installation experiences. Marina Abramovich duets with Lady Gaga on a track entirely composed of their auto-tuned sobbing. The word ‘art’ falls out of common usage, since economic regulation of the art market forces consolidation of the long held suspicion that its artifacts might merely be operating as speculative currency, and a culture of widespread exhibitionism forever alters the perception of exhibition culture…

Assembling a selection of present-day talismans that might offer insights for the near future, in the second of opti-ME*s residencies curator, writer and artist Justin Jaeckle has organised an evening for opti-ME* of high-performance [anxiety], socialised futures and digital imbibing.

Whilst wading in the mists of time we will explore life in the #MEMEWHILE through a series of artifacts, commissions and live-streams from around the globe, turning Auto Italia’s Kings Cross HQ into a reception site for the broadcast of the self and the magic realism of networks.

Meditation for Narcissists, with Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf leads an hour-long meditation session via Skype. Comfortable clothes recommended. In collaboration with Nastja Säde Rönkkö & Luke Turner.

Mok Bang Pizza Party
Dinner with Broadcast Jockeys (BJs) streamed from the future (AKA South Korea). Pizza and simultaneous live Korean-English translation will be provided.

.COM Wine Reception + Gagavić Muzak
Drinking the internet accompanied by a soundtrack, commissioned from Warsaw-based Pierre LX, composed of the auto-tuned sounds of Marina Abramović and Lady Gaga sobbing.