Haris Epaminonda
25 May - 13 Jun 2013
© Haris Epaminonda
Untitled (Zebra), 2010
super-8 film transferred to digital, color, sound, 0:29' on loop
Courtesy of the artist and Rodeo, Istanbul
Untitled (Zebra), 2010
super-8 film transferred to digital, color, sound, 0:29' on loop
Courtesy of the artist and Rodeo, Istanbul
HARIS EPAMINONDA
The Story Behind Untitled (Zebra)
22 May - 13 June 2013
Zebra filmed sideways
super 8 film transferred to digital
location: Berlin zoo
on a sunny winter day.
(Extracts from conversation with the artist)
Untitled (Zebra), by the artist Haris Epaminonda (1980, Nicosia, Cyprus), is the second presentation of the series The Story Behind, curated by Direlia Lazo.
Haris Epaminonda's work consciously resists being narrated, even if her installations, films, and collages confront the viewer with intriguing images. Her works are constructed around the poetics of the image per se, of the experience of space, of the casual or premeditated encounter between the viewer and the work. In the majority of cases, the story that accompanies the image, such as the where, what, and why, are omitted by presenting the image devoid of references, subject to the interpretation and specific universe of each viewer.
In Untitled (Zebra), we see a zebra in profile instinctively looking from side to side. The image lasts a few seconds and is played in a loop, thus perpetuating the recorded moment of the zebra in stillness and doubt. The flatness and simplicity of the image leads us to focus on the situation as a metaphor, or as a symbolic allusion. Knowing that the genetic makeup of zebras leads them to stay alert in their sleep to avoid attacks from other animals, the scene might appear to be an ode to this eternal state of wakefulness, in contrast with an image that seduces and invites to the serene contemplation of these creatures' beauty and innocence. For Epaminonda, these moments represent true poetic interludes.
Haris Epaminonda lives and works in Berlín. Recent solo exhibitions include: South of the Sun, Künsthaus Zürich, Switzerland; The Infinite Library, Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe (2012); Early Summer, with Daniel Gustav Cramer, Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2012); Projects 96: Haris Epaminonda, MoMA, New York (2011), Haris Epaminonda, Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt/Main (2011), VOL. VI, Tate Modern, Level 2 Gallery, London (2010), VOL. IV, Rodeo Gallery, Istanbul (2009), Haris Epaminonda, Malmö Konsthall, Malmö (2009). Recent group shows include: Cyclorama, Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico D.F. (2013); The Angel of History, Palais des Beaux Arts, Paris (2013); The Order of Things: Cinematic Moments, CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco; 2012: Prompts & Triggers: Surplus Authors, Witte de With, Rotterdam (2012); The End of the Summer, dOCUMENTA (13), Kassel (2012); 5th Bucharest Biennale, Alert Studio, Bucharest, Rumania (2012); Green Light, Laura Bartlett Gallery, London (2009); Solaris, Gio Marconi Gallery, Milan (2009); The Generational: Younger than Jesus, New Museum, New York (2009); Provisions for the Future, 9th Sharjah Biennial and 5th Berlin Biennial (2008).
NoguerasBlanchard would like to thank the collaboration of Rodeo, Istanbul.
The Story Behind Untitled (Zebra)
22 May - 13 June 2013
Zebra filmed sideways
super 8 film transferred to digital
location: Berlin zoo
on a sunny winter day.
(Extracts from conversation with the artist)
Untitled (Zebra), by the artist Haris Epaminonda (1980, Nicosia, Cyprus), is the second presentation of the series The Story Behind, curated by Direlia Lazo.
Haris Epaminonda's work consciously resists being narrated, even if her installations, films, and collages confront the viewer with intriguing images. Her works are constructed around the poetics of the image per se, of the experience of space, of the casual or premeditated encounter between the viewer and the work. In the majority of cases, the story that accompanies the image, such as the where, what, and why, are omitted by presenting the image devoid of references, subject to the interpretation and specific universe of each viewer.
In Untitled (Zebra), we see a zebra in profile instinctively looking from side to side. The image lasts a few seconds and is played in a loop, thus perpetuating the recorded moment of the zebra in stillness and doubt. The flatness and simplicity of the image leads us to focus on the situation as a metaphor, or as a symbolic allusion. Knowing that the genetic makeup of zebras leads them to stay alert in their sleep to avoid attacks from other animals, the scene might appear to be an ode to this eternal state of wakefulness, in contrast with an image that seduces and invites to the serene contemplation of these creatures' beauty and innocence. For Epaminonda, these moments represent true poetic interludes.
Haris Epaminonda lives and works in Berlín. Recent solo exhibitions include: South of the Sun, Künsthaus Zürich, Switzerland; The Infinite Library, Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe (2012); Early Summer, with Daniel Gustav Cramer, Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2012); Projects 96: Haris Epaminonda, MoMA, New York (2011), Haris Epaminonda, Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt/Main (2011), VOL. VI, Tate Modern, Level 2 Gallery, London (2010), VOL. IV, Rodeo Gallery, Istanbul (2009), Haris Epaminonda, Malmö Konsthall, Malmö (2009). Recent group shows include: Cyclorama, Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico D.F. (2013); The Angel of History, Palais des Beaux Arts, Paris (2013); The Order of Things: Cinematic Moments, CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco; 2012: Prompts & Triggers: Surplus Authors, Witte de With, Rotterdam (2012); The End of the Summer, dOCUMENTA (13), Kassel (2012); 5th Bucharest Biennale, Alert Studio, Bucharest, Rumania (2012); Green Light, Laura Bartlett Gallery, London (2009); Solaris, Gio Marconi Gallery, Milan (2009); The Generational: Younger than Jesus, New Museum, New York (2009); Provisions for the Future, 9th Sharjah Biennial and 5th Berlin Biennial (2008).
NoguerasBlanchard would like to thank the collaboration of Rodeo, Istanbul.