"Cocaine Chatroom" Exhibition Explores the Glittering Abyss of Consumer Culture

1 December 2010 Zurich, Switzerland - A daring and visually striking new exhibition, Cocaine Chatroom, by the newly established artist collective BÖKHAUS-GRUNZ & 2PUBLIC, is set to open at Mondejar Gallery in Zurich. Running from 9 December 2010 to 29 January 2011, the exhibition offers an incisive critique of the allure and pitfalls of modern consumerism. The vernissage will take place on Thursday, 9 December 2010, at 6:00 PM, with the artists in attendance.

Glamour Meets Desire

The works in Cocaine Chatroom are captivating reflections of an increasingly standardised consumer world. Drawing upon the aesthetics of contemporary advertising photography, the collective creates a surreal and ironic commentary on the commodification of desire and aspiration. By presenting fantasies that are unattainable yet alluring, the artists expose the raw hunger and hidden abysses underpinning global consumer culture.

References to iconic fashion magazines such as Vogue and digital spaces like online chatrooms are seamlessly woven into the narrative, creating a provocative juxtaposition. The unapologetically high-gloss visual language mimics the allure of marketing, even as it critiques the machinery of commodification.

"BÖKHAUS-GRUNZ & 2PUBLIC deftly deconstruct the veneer of modern marketing with a blend of reverence and rebellion," one critic observed. "The works are polished yet unfiltered, embodying the contradictions of contemporary culture."

The Artists Behind the Collective

The collective comprises three creative talents, each bringing unique perspectives to this ambitious project:

• Julia Grunz (BÖKHAUS-GRUNZ & 2PUBLIC): A stylist and make-up artist born in 1974, Grunz has worked extensively in New York, England, and Switzerland, collaborating with leading photographers and clients.
• Nicole Bökhaus (BÖKHAUS-GRUNZ): A photographer and graphic designer born in 1977, Bökhaus has honed her craft across Germany and Switzerland. Known for her work in fashion photography, she has been featured in prestigious publications and has received numerous accolades.
• Andreas Gemperle (2PUBLIC): Born in 1973, Gemperle is a photographer and studio owner based in Winterthur. With over a decade of experience, he works across commercial, fashion, and long-term photographic projects.

Highlighted Works

The exhibition features standout pieces from the following series:

• Exhibit 15
• Private Room 7
• Videotaped 5
• Hunt 2

Each series offers a unique lens through which the collective interrogates the constructs of globalised consumerism.

Exhibition Details

• Dates: 9 December 2010 – 29 January 2011
• Vernissage: Thursday, 9 December 2010, 6:00 PM
• Location: Mondejar Gallery, Zentralstrasse 18, 8003 Zurich

Cocaine Chatroom challenges visitors to reflect on their complicity in a system that thrives on unattainable desires and manufactured aspirations. This exhibition is not merely a visual delight but a compelling critique of the polished façade and hidden costs of modern consumer culture.

For further information, please contact info@mondejargallery.com or call +41 76 577 0854.