Metaxy and The Magic City An M.F.A. Thesis Show by Kareem David Piper Kareem’s work reflects the contemporary human condition of existing in a constantly transient state. With technology making the world much more accessible, human beings are able to connect far and wide across the globe like never before. His work questions the true depth of these connections, made with people and places which are encountered only in passing. The pieces evoke a feeling of internal splitting or dislocation, and force the viewer to question how they perceive their own reality. ‘Metaxy and The Magic City’ is the artist’s Masters in Fine Art thesis show, and reflects his feelings and perceptions within various social settings and transient scenes he encounters on a daily basis here in Miami, FL. The depicted images are sourced from photos the artist has taken while riding the Miami Dade Metrorail, which is very close to the artist's studio and is itself very symbolic of the transient state that exists here in Miami. The term "Metaxy" used in the show's title refers to oscillation. An oscillation that can be seen and felt not only in the aesthetics of the artist's work, but in the cultural dynamics which exist in urban settings, whether here in Miami or the world over. The metamodern sensibility sees the world as continually in flux between the local and global, conceptual and material, irony and honesty. As Plato described Metaxy, it is the state of “betweeness.” Metamodernism is an oscillating force in and of itself. The term Meta, as relates to the artist’s work, means that is self referential. It is neither postmodern, nor is it modern. It is somewhere in between and beyond simultaneously. The metamodern view of society is one of a state of constant change, but to where only time knows! Metamodernism simply put, points out that society and the dominant cultural norms that tend to arise due to changes within each society, naturally exist in a constant state of oscillation. It is this sensibility, above all else that the artist aims to portray through his work. (via Metaxy and the Magic City 5/21/16)