Project for a New American Century by Josh Kline
Apr 19, 2023 – August 13, 2023
Whitney Museum of American Art

Filipino-American Philadelphia artist, Josh Kline, unveils the first U.S. museum survey of his work in Project for a New American Century at the Whitney Museum of American Art. This exhibition visualizes a dystopian society that may resemble the one we could face if artificial intelligence were to dominate our workforce—and eventually eliminate the working class. Morbid scenarios of emptiness, scarcity, and unaliving are overarching themes in this science fiction nightmare that may foreshadow America’s future reality.

Contagious Unemployment

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The year is 2030 or 2040, an era where humans no longer have a use in the administrative industry and their roles have been outsourced to AI. Kline sets the scene as to what our world may look like when man competes with machines for resources, and humanity is forced to accept defeat. Layoffs are expected to reach an all-time high, and the self-esteem of America’s blue-collar and white-collar workers is likely to plummet to an all-time low.

Another America Is Possible

Just a few minor setbacks could replace humans with technology, turn homeowners into the homeless, and force us to exchange the safety of our communities for a surge of political power. In the world of Kline, those left to roam the earth will resort to living in tents, their corridors monitored around the clock by military personnel (who may just eerily resemble armored Teletubbies).

Seeing Our World Through a New Lens

Currently at $177 billion, the artificial intelligence market is projected to reach $2,745 billion by 2032.

Is your tin foil hat tingling, yet? They say art imitates life, and for the sake of humanity, let’s hope the lifestyle predicted in Project for a New American Century at the Whitney Museum of American Art is not in our foreseeable future.

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