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Saturday,
September, 13,
2003

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Futura: In Never, Never Land Nothing Ever Changes

To coincide with the release of UNKLE's second album Never, Never Land the ICA held a four- day design showcase entitled Subject 2 Change. This small exhibition coincides with UNKLE's first release since 1998's Psyence Fiction.

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The centerpiece is an 8 x 16 canvas by graffiti artist Futura 2000, also responsible for the previous album's artwork. A Pollock-like projection on the opposite wall documents the artist at work on the piece. Display cases house rare UNKLE records, cds and toys both new and old. The walls carry William Bankhead photographs of Futura at work.

Lavelle's obsession is manifested in a display of UNKLE action figures including Pointman bounty hunters and even a Pointman GI Joe with a removable helmet revealing the Mo Wax label boss himself

Futura is undeniably an incredible artist his technique and signature style are as fresh and unmistakeable as ever and the piece of work exhibited here is in its own right both breathtaking and magnificent. Considered however as a continuing graphic collaboration with UNKLE there appears to be little progression and no revolution -- the Pointman alien figure motif and the monochrome pallette of Psyence Fiction are reintroduced. Like the sequel strewn Star Wars universe that UNKLE's James Lavelle so admires the work maintains the same set of familiar fanboy central characters and visual cues.

Lavelle's obsession with George Lucas's golden ticket is further manifested in a display of limited edition UNKLE action figures including Pointman bounty hunters, prototype Kubrick mini-figs and even a Pointman GI Joe with a removable helmet revealing the Mo Wax label boss himself.

The collectible theme is continued with a case of custom packaged versions of UNKLE albums and singles including the beautiful pop-up version of Psyence Fiction and a 4-inch single with sticker pack.

Most art exhibitions these days seem little more than marketing showcases for the contents of the gallery shop. Never, Never Land closed the gap with attendees clearing the ICA bookstore of tomorrow's museum pieces of 300 specially commisioned white UNKLE Kubrick figures, Bape tees and triangular album box sets even before visiting the gallery.



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