Forms of Letters Shapes of Images
The exhibition (Forms of Letters, Shapes of Images) brings together four artists, whose works exist in the cross section of images and words. In an age where prompts and the syntax of words are used to create images through Neural Networks and Large Language Models, artists observe and transform the relationship—sometimes destructive, sometimes constructive—always aware of their formal qualities.
Simeen Farhat participates in the seventh edition of the festival with a discipline outside the realm of photography. Inspiration for Farhat’s work, “Blood Shot is Blood Loved”, began with his poetic reflections on blood’s dual nature. The artist notes, “I leave my traces many times. I can be either hot or cold. People both love and hate me—I scare them off; but they need me, too. My name is Blood.” The installation captures the moment a large drop of blood hits the ground, symbolizing a burst of passionate energy, and is constructed from abstract epigraphic forms. The installation highlights the human body’s undeniable presence and juxtaposes the purity of life with the harsh realities of global violence, inviting viewers to engage with the provocative nature of blood as it spills into the gallery space.
Hong Kong artist Hung Keung is deeply interested in Chinese ink art and calligraphy. He views Chinese characters not just as text, but as living, active entities with unique temperaments. Hung’s work aims to personify these characters, allowing them to react to their surroundings and tell stories about human emotions. His series, “Grain Rain,” reflects the final spring solar term when seedlings are planted, and crops are sown, a time requiring abundant rainfall for growth. The artwork, including “Grain Rain and Heart Sutra” (2023), depicts flowers’ transformations in high temperatures, highlighting the interconnectedness of matter, nature, and human emotions. The anthropomorphized characters explore the concepts of observation and illumination, capturing the intricate interplay between the environment and human feelings.
ARTISTS
Simeen Farhat + Hung Keung + Orhan Cem Çetin
DATES
28 September – 13 October 2024
