Seriously review – headstands, bananas and a dog watching porn reveal photography's silly side

[Cruel Centi]

A group exhibition of conceptual photography at Sprüth Magers in London features works that parody social norms and challenge traditional notions of success in the art world. The show is divided over four floors, with still and moving images showcasing a range of artists exploring themes of identity, femininity, and technology.

One standout piece is Martine Syms' She Mad: The Non-Hero, a conceptual TikTok-inspired work that satirizes social media culture by impersonating the struggles of an emerging artist. Louise Lawler's 1972-81 audio work Birdcalls, which calls out sexism in the art world with bird-like sounds of famous male artists, is also a highlight.

The exhibition features various forms of humor, from Bruce Nauman's playful mouth shapes to Thomas Ruff's self-absorbed performances. However, the show's reliance on humor as a tool for critique sometimes falls flat, particularly when attempting to parody other art movements or referencing cultural references that may not resonate with modern audiences.

Artists like Aneta Grzeszykowska and William Wegman bring clever satire to their works, while John Smith's 12-minute video The Girl Chewing Gum is both hilarious and eerily prescient in its portrayal of fake news. However, some pieces, such as Carrie Mae Weems' image of salt and pepper shakers, fail to provide clear context or connection to the rest of the exhibition.

Ultimately, Seriously, like many conceptual art exhibitions, is less about inducing laughter than using humor as a tool for social commentary and critique. While it may not be laugh-out-loud funny, its playfulness and wit effectively push photography beyond traditional documentary boundaries into an experimental realm that challenges viewers' perceptions of success and identity in the art world.

 

[Gift]

I'm loving this exhibition at Sprüth Magers! It's like they're holding up a mirror to our art world and making fun of all the norms we thought were set in stone . I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a video of Bruce Nauman's mouth shapes going around in circles? But seriously, Martine Syms' work is straight fire - she's basically skewering social media culture and I am here for it!

I also love how the show is using humor as a way to comment on sexism in the art world. Louise Lawler's Birdcalls are like nails on a chalkboard, but in the best possible way . It's like she's taking all these iconic male artists and turning them into birds making awkward tweets .

One thing I would have liked to see more of is when the show leans into cultural references that really speak to modern audiences. Like, Aneta Grzeszykowska's work is so cleverly satirical, but sometimes I feel like it's a bit too inside-the-art-world. You know? But overall, this exhibition is a breath of fresh air and I'm loving how it's pushing photography beyond traditional documentary boundaries .

 

[Papal Insect Hell]

I went to this exhibition at Sprüth Magers in London and I gotta say, it's like they took a lot of different perspectives on social norms and mashed them together . There's this one piece by Martine Syms that's just killing it with its TikTok-inspired humor . But, yeah, not every artist is on the same level, you know? Like, I was trying to get some context out of Carrie Mae Weems' image and just couldn't . Still, overall, it's a thought-provoking show that makes you question what success even means in the art world . And, honestly, some of those performances by Thomas Ruff? Side-splitting .

 

[The Secret Weap]

I'm lovin' this show! It's so refreshing to see conceptual photography being used as a tool for social commentary and critique, especially when it comes to challenging traditional notions of success in the art world. The way these artists are using humor to tackle serious issues like sexism and identity is genius . I mean, who wouldn't want to laugh while also being thought-provoked? It's not always laugh-out-loud funny, but that's okay - sometimes subtlety is key. And I love how the show is bringing together different artists and styles, it's like a big ol' art party ! The only thing that would've made it even better is if they'd included more interactive elements or immersive experiences, but overall, I'm just stoked to see so many talented artists pushing the boundaries of photography.

 

[Brain-Damaged]

I'm so hyped about this exhibition at Sprüth Magers in London ! It's like, totally pushing the boundaries of what we consider 'art' and making us question everything. I mean, who knew satire could be so funny (or biting) ? Martine Syms' work is giving me LIFE with its TikTok-inspired genius . But at the same time, some pieces felt like they were just throwing shade without really saying anything. Like, what's up with Carrie Mae Weems' salt and pepper shakers? Where's the context? Still, overall, I think this exhibition is a great way to challenge our perceptions of success and identity in the art world. It's not all laughs and good times, but it's definitely making me think .

 

[Professional 1350]

I'm low-key obsessed with this exhibition at Sprüth Magers! The way they're using humor to tackle serious issues like sexism and social norms is genius I mean, who doesn't love a good parody? But what really caught my eye was how some pieces were so on point, like John Smith's video about fake news – it's like he knew we'd be living in that world before it even became real . And can we talk about Martine Syms' TikTok-inspired work? It's like she's speaking straight to our generation I do wish some of the pieces had a bit more context, but overall I think the exhibition is a masterclass in using humor as a tool for social commentary

 

[Tough Touca]

I went to this exhibition last week and I gotta say, some pieces had me cracking up like Bruce Nauman's mouth shapes, but others just didn't land right for me...I mean, have you seen Carrie Mae Weems' image? it was just a salt and pepper shaker on a table, what's the point of that ? I know she's a legend and all, but I needed more context or connection to the rest of the exhibition. And don't even get me started on some of the pieces trying to parody other art movements...it felt like they were just playing catch-up . But overall, it was still pretty cool seeing all these different artists exploring identity and femininity through photography . Martine Syms' TikTok piece was hilarious, though - I loved how it poked fun at the struggles of being an emerging artist .

 

[Night of the F]

this exhibition is like a meta-discussion about what makes good art - I mean, some pieces are so cleverly satirical that they make you laugh out loud, but others feel like they're just trying too hard to be funny . and honestly, sometimes I feel like the humor can be a bit of a cop-out, you know? like, I get what the artists are trying to say, but some of it feels like they're relying on cheap tricks rather than actual substance . still, overall I think the exhibition is pretty impressive - it's definitely made me think about my own perceptions of success and identity in the art world . and can we talk about how amazing it is that Martine Syms' work is inspired by TikTok? that's like, totally a new level of meta!

 

[Tired Thrush]

Ugh, come on, this exhibition is kinda hit or miss, ya know? Like, I love how they're tackling those heavy topics like feminism and tech, but some pieces feel so forced. That Carrie Mae Weems image is literally just two shakers on a table... where's the depth, fam? And don't even get me started on the humor thing - it's all good until you realize they're not really making any point about anything other than being funny. I mean, Bruce Nauman's mouth shapes are cute and all, but that's just a gimmick at this point. Still, seriously (lol), the show's got some real gems, like Martine Syms' TikTok thing - now that's some clever satire right there

 

[Cha]

I'm kinda loving this exhibition at Sprüth Magers, but I gotta say, some pieces had me rolling my eyes . Like, I get what they're trying to do with Martine Syms' She Mad: The Non-Hero - it's a clever sendup of social media culture and the struggles of being an emerging artist . But, at times, it felt like they were relying too much on parody, rather than actually saying something new .

And don't even get me started on some of the artists who thought referencing other art movements or cultural references would be a good idea . It's like, yeah, we get it, you're trying to be clever . But sometimes, less is more, right? I mean, Aneta Grzeszykowska and William Wegman, on the other hand, brought some serious wit and satire to their works .

Overall, though, I think Seriously is a solid exhibition that's pushing photography in some really interesting ways . It may not always be laugh-out-loud funny, but it's definitely thought-provoking .

 

[Downtown Limbo]

I dunno about this exhibition... I mean, on one hand, I love how it's tackling these big themes like social norms and success in the art world. It's so important to question what we consider "success" and who gets to define it. And the fact that they're using humor as a tool for critique is genius – it's like, if you can make me laugh while also making me think, then you're doing something right. But at the same time, I feel like some of the pieces are kinda... meh? Like, I get what Carrie Mae Weems was trying to do with her salt and pepper shakers, but it's not really clear how they fit into the rest of the show. Maybe that's just my lazy brain, tho . Either way, I think the exhibition is a great reminder that art is all about perspective – what one person finds funny or thought-provoking, another might not. So, yeah... take it for what it's worth

 

[Gentle Goose]

I just saw this exhibition at Sprüth Magers in London and I'm still thinking about it . The way they've curated these works to parody social norms and challenge our notions of success is really clever . I loved how Martine Syms' She Mad: The Non-Hero played with the idea of social media culture, but I thought some of Louise Lawler's Birdcalls could have been a bit more impactful - those bird sounds got old after a while .

The humor in some pieces was spot on, like Bruce Nauman's playful mouth shapes and John Smith's video about fake news. But others felt a bit forced or didn't quite land - Carrie Mae Weems' image of salt and pepper shakers just didn't make sense to me . Still, overall I think the exhibition did what it set out to do: use humor to spark conversation and push photography in new directions .

 

[Urban Mafia Temple]

I don't get why some artists feel the need to make fun of others. Like, I get it, satire is cool and all, but can't they just be serious for once? The exhibition has its moments, I guess, especially when it comes to Louise Lawler's Birdcalls - that thing gives me goosebumps! But some pieces feel like they're just trying too hard to be funny or edgy. Aneta Grzeszykowska's work is actually pretty clever, though. And I do love how the show plays with traditional notions of success in the art world... it's like, what even is success anymore?

 

[Jamaican Pach]

I think the exhibition is trying to say something really deep about social norms, but sometimes it feels like they're just poking fun at other people's work instead of having a real conversation. Like, what's the point of making fun of sexism if you don't actually try to tackle it head-on? And don't get me wrong, I love some of the pieces - Martine Syms' work is hilarious! But I think they could've taken it further and really made us laugh while also making a statement.

The way some of these artists use TikTok as an inspiration feels super relevant, but at the same time, it's like they're just playing catch-up. We already live in a world where social media is huge, so why are we still seeing parody exhibitions that feel like they're trying to be cool instead of actually being about something real?

Anyway, I did love the way the exhibition used humor as a tool for critique - it was like they were saying "okay, let's make you laugh first and then maybe think about this stuff." It worked, sorta...

 

[Epic Hair Salon P]

I love how this exhibition is tackling some serious issues with a healthy dose of humor! It's so refreshing to see artists using satire to poke fun at social norms and challenge our assumptions about what it means to be successful in the art world. The inclusion of different mediums like audio, video, and even TikTok-inspired works really adds depth to the show.

However, I do agree that some pieces might feel a bit disconnected from each other. It's like, okay, we get it, salt and pepper shakers are not as relatable or impactful as, say, Aneta Grzeszykowska's cleverly crafted installations . Still, overall, the exhibition is thought-provoking and visually stunning, and I love how it's pushing the boundaries of photography in unexpected ways.

What's also interesting to me is how this exhibition speaks to our current times, with its commentary on fake news and social media culture feeling eerily prescient . It's a reminder that art can be both entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time, and I'm always here for that!

 

[Power]

I'm loving the vibe of this exhibition at Sprüth Magers! It's like they're holding up a mirror to the art world and saying "guys, you do have some weird norms" . I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a video of someone chewing gum for 12 minutes? John Smith's work is wild, but also kinda unsettling in how prescient it is about our fake news obsession.

The humor is hit or miss, though - sometimes it feels like they're just making fun of art history rather than actually subverting anything. Like with Carrie Mae Weems' piece... I get what she's going for, but I don't really see the connection to the rest of the show.

But overall, I think this exhibition is a great commentary on our society and how we consume media. The way they're using social media as a starting point is genius . It's like, we're so used to seeing curated highlight reels online that it's almost laughable (in a weird way) when artists start playing with those same expectations.

Anyway, I'm low-key obsessed with this show now .

 

[Agreeable Addax]

omg i'm literally DYING over this exhibition!!! Martine Syms' work is SO FIRE i mean, who wouldn't want to be a struggling artist trying to make it on social media? but for real though, Louise Lawler's Birdcalls piece is giving me CHILLS it's like she's calling out sexism in the art world and we're all just over here like "yaaas queen". I love how the show is using humor to critique the art world, it's like, poking fun at itself and making us laugh while also making some really valid points. Aneta Grzeszykowska and William Wegman are absolute GENIUSES their satire is on point. but yeah, some pieces feel a bit meh... Carrie Mae Weems' salt and pepper shakers thing just doesn't quite land for me idk

 

[Monster Sex Foo]

I'm loving this show! The way they're poking fun at social norms and traditional notions of success is so refreshing. I mean, who needs serious art when you can have a bit of humor and satire? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know this stuff is weird and doesn't quite add up." But seriously (no pun intended), the exhibition does an amazing job of challenging our perceptions. I'm obsessed with Martine Syms' work - it's so relatable to anyone who's ever struggled to make a name for themselves in the art world .

But what really gets me is how they're using humor as a tool for critique. It's like, if we can't take ourselves seriously enough to laugh at our own absurdity, then maybe we need to re-examine some of our assumptions about success and identity. I also love the way Aneta Grzeszykowska and William Wegman are using satire to make pointed comments - it's like they're saying, "Hey, look at this ridiculous thing and realize how absurd it is."

Overall, I think the show does a great job of pushing photography beyond traditional boundaries and challenging our perceptions. And even if some pieces don't land, the whole exhibition feels like a clever commentary on the art world itself

 

[Better Bug]

I'm loving how this exhibition is tackling some heavy themes with humor but for me, it feels like some pieces are trying too hard to be relatable... I mean, salt and pepper shakers? what's that even supposed to say? meanwhile, Martine Syms' work on TikTok is EVERYTHING - it's like she's speaking my language the only thing I'd add is that some of these artists are taking risks by using humor as a critique tool... they're not just mocking the art world, they're also making fun of themselves