Opening Thursday, January 23nd at Gasworks, London is “Late Barbarians,” a group exhibition that focused on the notion of corporeal memory, and explores how shifting social codes and cultural values have been embodied in canonical Western European art and architecture. “Late Barbarians” takes its title from an expression by German sociologist Norbert Elias, which suggests that our future descendants may eventually consider us to have lived during an extended medieval period, implying that we share far greater affinities with our Barbarian forefathers than we might like to think (1). Similarly, the works on show question linear interpretations of history, invoking a present that is haunted by the gestures of our ancestors. “Late Barbarians” features work by Juan Downey, Lili Dujourie, Sidsel Meineche Hansen, Matts Leiderstam, and Chris Marker.

Opening Reception: January 23rd, 2014. 6pm.

“Late Barbarians” is on view through March 9th, 2014.

For more information visit Gasworks, London.