THE (DE)MYSTIFICATION OF EVERYTHING: Vol. I

To mystify: “[...]explaining away what otherwise might be evident.[...]”

Ways of seeing, J.Berger

-To (de)mystify everything is an impossible task, a tendency to reach the (in)finite, ridiculous yet inevitable-

The (De)Mystification Of Everything: Vol. I is an installation comprised of a number of sculptures, objects and drawings that focus on the effects of subjecting to a Canon as manifested in the human body.

Some of the forms used in this work(such as religious architectural elements, ottoman calligraphy, praying rugs and more) refer to specific aesthetics of the Middle East while trying to articulate a phenomenon that is timeless and universal. Ultimately, Vol. I is an attempt to unfold the spectrum between two ends, between fragility and dogma, family and enemy, East and West.

stainless steel, halogen lamps, bread, paper, plastic film, rubber, fur, ink on paper, loudspeakers -variable dimensions.

Bread sculptures depict everyday scenes of worship, power games and repose. The Bread implies the process of baking/burning, it is universal, consumable and it rots. Each bread takes the size of an A4 sheet to measure personal space, all of them composing the public, small and numerous underneath the gaze of the spectator.

The two praying rugs represent the dual identity of the canon. One made out of plastic and one made out of fur, a stamp and a blanket, one for imprinting, one for protection.

Rugs through their colours and symbolism, depict a condensed representation of the universe as viewed by their creators, “[...] the smallest parcel of the world and then [...] the totality of the world[...]”. In reference to M.Foucault's description of the body as a surface of inscription of events, the first rug is a giant stamp, to imprint the canon on the body of man.The second rug offers the sense of security and warmth coming with the certainty of dogma.

The cone is a mihrab made of steel, an External reference point. It gives direction and simultaneously it divides what it reflects, never allowing the perception of a self that is complete, never reflecting the sun as a whole.

stainless steel, 80x150 cm

The dual sound broadcast can function as a reminder, as a way to divide time, to trigger movement, to subject everyday life to the metric system of the canon.

1/7

ink on paper, 50x70cm