The Hearing
The installation The Hearing by RoCoCo was created with a clear acknowledgement of recent events in American politics, journalism, and culture. The work considers the operative root word “hear” and questions whether its definition still holds true for the systems that bind these facets of American society. Is there an action of hearing taking place, or has it been co-opted and twisted so that the system is more about silencing and obscuring fact, ethics, and even morals?
RoCoCo has carefully considered the space the installation inhabits and has postured materials to evoke and meld symbolic, cultural, and utilitarian context. Under the skylight in the middle of the gallery of Mercury 20, they have transformed every day comforting objects such as pillowcases and blankets, and subjected them to industrial processes that call upon the literal and symbolic meanings of the objects. Metaphor, commentary, and a nod to conspiracy theories are all taken into consideration in the placement of the installation’s parts.
The Hearing was on view at Mercury 20 Gallery in Oakland, California, from July 27 to September 2, 2017.
A selection of Wall Works inspired by the production and planning of The Hearing were exhibited alongside the installation.