Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen
End of Dreams
February 6–March 29, 2015
SALT Galata
Bankalar Caddesi 11
Karaköy 34420 İstanbul
saltonline.org
Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen’s most recent production End of Dreams is an ode to the countless lives that have been lost by those attempting to traverse the Mediterranean Sea in order to reach Europe.
End of Dreams consists of a multi-media installation comprising a five-channel HD video shot under the sea, and a composition of the only remains that could be found of 48 concrete-canvas sculptures. In 2014 these sculptures were submerged in the sea and the plan was to then exhibit them with their patina of organisms and wear. During this process a violent storm ravaged the raft holding them in place and the remnants were scattered far and wide. Believing that the intervention of nature added to the narrative of the piece, Larsen hired divers to film the scene and collect all the debris and sculptures that could be found.
End of Dreams was produced during Larsen’s residency at the Italian art organization qwatz, Rome. The work was supported by Sharjah Art Foundation and the exhibition is co-funded by the Danish Arts Council.
A program of Larsen’s works on migration including Promised Land (2011–2013), Reflections from Meriç (2013) and End of Season (2014) will be screened during the run of the exhibition in the Walk-in Cinema at SALT Beyoğlu.
Akram Zaatari
Until February 15
SALT Beyoğlu
Ege Berensel
Dinamo Mesken
Until March 14
SALT Ulus