The Specious Present

Overview

The Specious Present is an exhibition that address the conundrum of representing time.

The ‘specious present’ is a term coined by the philosopher and psychologist William James. It is the short duration of time the human mind appears to be able to experience, which exists between past and future and which is longer than the singular moment of the actual present.

The range of media spans from moving and still imagery and sculpture and painting, offering the concept as both an idea and an experience. Christina Barton, the curator, aims to exhibit and discuss the unique ways each artists addresses this quandary and presents their own distinct concept of the present.