Blenheim Art Foundation has opened 'SOFTER: Jenny Holzer at Blenheim Palace,' a solo exhibition by American artist Jenny Holzer running at the English palace through December 31, 2017.

Holzer is the fourth artist to take on the challenge to fill Blenheim's sumptuous eighteenth-century interiors and grounds with contemporary art. She created new, site-specific work, directly addressing the U.K. military and political history in relation to themes which have figured prominently in her practice since the 1980s: power, conflict and activism.

As one of America’s most loved living artists, Holzer is provocative and outspoken, working with language to question what is presented as truth in everyday life. The site warns visitors to SOFTER that "the exhibition includes displays of human remains sourced from medical supply companies. The bones are from female skeletons and their purpose is to represent war crimes committed against female civilians."

Grim-looking black mondo grass fills regal flower urns around the gardens and haunting words of war veterans appear on surfaces through Holzer's use of augmented reality. 

For nearly four decades, Holzer's work has sought out different ways of infiltrating public space and public consciousness. Over the years, her words have been presented on anonymous posters around New York, carved into fine stone and shone day-bright in LED light around the world.

'SOFTER: Jenny Holzer at Blenheim Palace' showcases many new works and uses augmented reality to explore the potential of the virtual space. This interest in new technologies and art runs through the show, which also features Holzer’s well-known work with LED signs. Additionally, Holzer developed large-scale light projections that will transform the Palace grounds after dark in a series of night-time public events. Alongside these, more meditative areas feature examples of Holzer’s best known work, such as her renowned engraved stonework, as well as new installations using black mondo grass.

View images of the exhibition from the Oxford Mail.