NEFELI ASARIOTAKI
Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄνθρωπος; Ecce homo or Behold the Man (stories of hubris in a godless world)
(THIS VIDEO MAY CONTAIN IMAGERIES OF VIOLENCE)
Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄνθρωπος; Ecce homo or Behold the Man (stories of hubris in a godless world), 2020
Video Essay, 8' 04" min
Intro: Soundtrack of a world in denial
Video, found footage
Chapter 1: (stay) in the lines
Video
Chapter 2: I could tame the sea if I wanted to!
Video performance, barb wire
Chapter 3: When contained I react/ combustion
Video, water beads, Tupperware
Installation View
"Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄνθρωπος; Ecce homo or Behold the Man (stories of hubris in a godless world) is a body of work, which is taking as a starting point the humanitarian crisis in Europe and the war in Syria, in order to discuss the idea of borders both as physical and existential barriers. It hopes to inspire a dialogue about war and the existence of borders in a time that violence and dogmatism are placed in the foreground. We tend to understand the concept of a border as a concrete and definite idea, almost as an archetype that precedes its essence. But is it really that way? The work intends to challenge the border’s validity of existence while discussing the limits of humanity and cruelty, in a reality where the construct of god should be considered as failed."
We are getting too close, we need boundaries, 2020
Concrete bricks casted in Tupperware
8.3 ' x 3.8' x 10"
Should a child own guns?, 2020
wall installation, laminated drawings, markers, approx.
4' x 5'
"The existentialists used the word absurd to describe the conflict that’s born when humans try to find inherent value or meaning in an irrational universe. Through my work, I seek to isolate and highlight the absurdity of this world, with the aim to accept its existence and create space for new connections. My work is concerned with the human condition, the limits of humanity, and cruelty. Why do we need to be separated in order to coexist? Why have we assumed the existence of the other, and why do we always baptize that Other as the enemy?
To discuss these questions, I create multi-layered installations with simultaneous meanings, that encourage the viewer to unpack them and create new connections and meanings. By including contradictory information in my installations, I put absurdity in the spotlight. Although most of my works are not interactive, they require from the viewer to become a participant and commit, so as to unpack and make sense of the work"
Born in Athens, Greece, Nefeli Asariotaki is an artist and educator, based between Athens and Brooklyn, NYC. She completed her BFA at Pratt Institute, and she is currently completing her MFA at SVA. Nefeli works in a variety of media, including but not limited to sculpture, performance, and multimedia installation.
asariotakinefeli.com
Man and Woman Conversing, 2018
Ceramic bust
7.80 x 10.6 x 6.69''