When asked about the relationship between his work and the current times, Steve McQueen expressed that while he does not wish to seem outdated or hippie, love must be remembered. He argues that when the truth loses its validity, and trust in politicians or even friends disappears, love remains as an element capable of uniting people.
The filmmaker and visual artist shared his feelings upon hearing two versions of something, describing how the union of these two parts created a spark, resulting in something extraordinary and happy in collaboration. For him, this elevates music to a higher level.
McQueen believes that each individual will bring their own narrative when entering an artistic space, and this narrative can become the soundtrack of the experience. Before the inauguration of an installation, he requested that everyone turn off their devices upon entry, explaining that while many exhibitions encourage the use of the eyes, in that place visitors are invited to use their ears and disconnect from the external environment.
Parallel to the exhibition, there will be a film cycle focused on McQueen's filmography, curated by Lekha Hileman. Among his notable works is '12 Years a Slave,' which won three Oscars in 2013. Born in London, Steve McQueen received the Turner Prize in 1999 and has exhibited in important contemporary art institutions and events.
As a director, he produced films such as 'Hunger,' 'Shame,' and 'Blitz,' the latter being his most recent feature film. Furthermore, he worked in television with the British miniseries 'Small Axe,' which is inspired by real experiences of the West Indian community in London. His work frequently explores themes such as power, memory, violence, racism, representation, and social structures.