Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You

Crafted in the crucible of American creativity, Barbara Kruger, born in 1945 in Newark, New Jersey, has earned widespread recognition for her impactful fusion of images and words. Having cut her teeth as a graphic designer for magazines early in her career, Kruger has forged an iconic visual language that frequently draws inspiration from the techniques and aesthetics of advertising and various media. Since the 1970s, her artistic endeavors have consistently delved into the intricate mechanisms of power dynamics, gender relations, social class, consumerism, and capital.

Presenting "Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You." at Serpentine South, Kruger's first solo institutional exhibition in London in over two decades promises a distinctive showcase. The display boasts a curated selection of installations alongside moving image works and a medley of soundscapes. Notably, the exhibition marks the UK premiere of "Untitled (No Comment)" (2020), a captivating three-channel video installation that immerses viewers in the exploration of contemporary modes of online content creation and consumption. Kruger skillfully weaves together text, audio clips, and a barrage of found images and memes, ranging from obscured selfies to animated feline photos.

The exhibition also unveils recent video reconfigurations, or as Kruger aptly terms them, replays, of some of her most iconic pieces from the 1980s, such as "Untitled (I shop therefore I am)" (1987) and "Untitled (Your body is a battleground)" (1989). Kruger's artistic journey spans decades, during which she has presented her work in diverse settings and forms, adorning buildings, billboards, hoardings, buses, and even skate parks. For this particular exhibition, the artist has adapted works previously showcased in U.S. museums to specific locations within Serpentine, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces.