Presented:
Group show: "I'm a plant. Natural processes in art ", Kunstmuseum Ravensburg, 11.7.-11.8.2015 Performance for Long Night of Museums 14.08.2015
Curated by Dr. Nicole Fritz

In her performance installation, "Crossing Wonderland", Nezaket Ekici converts a dream into lived reality. The installation features a circular flowerbed not filled with flowers, but with real human arms and hands stretching upwards from a specially constructed round pedestal. Only the arms and hands of the performing assistants are visible, rising like organic sculptures into the air. Throughout the performance, Ekici tends to this living flowerbed. She combats the fatigue of the performers, repositions fallen arms and hands, and repeatedly steps in to support them—physically and symbolically. At times, she waters the hands, at others, she holds them, kisses them, or offers gentle gestures of care. By replacing flowers with human limbs, Ekici creates an image that is both absurd and surreal. The scene instinctively transports the viewer into a dreamlike realm, where the boundaries between the real and the imaginary begin to blur. The work functions like a visual tilt image—prompting the viewer to shift, almost involuntarily, between perceptions of reality and illusion; between nature, and humanity. The installation is especially powerful when placed at the entrance to an exhibition space, where it acts as a threshold—a symbolic gateway. As viewers encounter the living sculpture, they cross, almost imperceptibly, into a world governed by art, where rules dissolve and imagination reigns. The ‘dreamstate’ reality of this performance draws on existential questions of the anthropological order: in inhabiting this world, have we also confined ourselves to its natural conditions? What are we, without air to breathe, water to drink, earth to support our life? Are our bodies, consecrated by a sense of the natural, much like flowers, or birds are? Ekici prompts the audience to consider themes of preservation and renewal: like flowers, the ‘arms’ and ‘bodies’ of man also require care. And like ‘arms’ and ‘bodies’, nature exudes with its own holy and unadulterated spirit of life: one which we must protect and care for. (Text Edited: Jono Wang Chu) Performer: Nezaket Ekici, Eva Scans, Isabella Lucha, Anna Gugel, Paul Classen, Shirin Hepperle, Julian Strodel.

White round box with holes, real grass, costumes, helper, watering, swimming, water, rope, cosmetic utensils (oils, brand arrows)

30 min

Thanks to Susanne Bentele Sponsored by Reisch