The gallery alexander levy is pleased to announce Julius von Bismarck’s exhibition Grenzen der Intelligenzen (Boundaries of Intelligences) on the occasion of Gallery Weekend Berlin.

In his practice, Julius von Bismarck challenges our habits of perceiving and appropriating the world. His works are characterised by an in-depth exploration of the physical conditions of existence on our planet, with a particular focus on the construction of nature as a social category. In the form of kinetic sculptures, photographs and video works as well as installations, von Bismarck examines the conceptual separation of humans from their own environment. This separation is constantly manifested by labelling and classification, and is accompanied by the exercise of human power over one’s immediate environment, which has by now led to catastrophic consequences calling into question humanity’s sovereignty.

According to current forecasts, the first models of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) could be available in a few months to years. These artificial intelligences, which are no longer specialised in just one area, will be able to expand their knowledge autonomously and surpass the cognitive abilities of humans in many areas. Their emergence marks a turning point in human existence. Is this the beginning of a new era in the co-operation between humans and other intelligences, in which beings superior to us take over decision-making power, or are we crossing the threshold into a time in which techno-dystopian scenarios of the last century come true? In his exhibition Grenzen der Intelligenzen, Julius von Bismarck sets the stage for speculation about the intellectual capacity of different species and the prospect of a multi-species future.

The exhibition combines two new works by von Bismarck. In the gallery’s main space, a series of wall panels produced using the OSB (oriented strand board) pressing technique will be presented. The works reconsider the relationship between humankind and the environment in accordance with the post- humanist concept of object-orientated ontology. The artist references current prophecies about the work of AGI and relates them to other prophetic narratives, such as the tales of the Last Judgement within the Abrahamic religions. In the rear room of the gallery, Julius von Bismarck shows a video work reflecting the limits of our own intelligence in showing insects confused by neon light.