Galeri Nev Istanbul is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Gökçen Dilek Acay. In her solo show titled Future Primitive, Acay brings together works in different mediums, connected with her extensive research on the evolution of Homo sapiens and notion of power. She employs an unusual variety of media, such as hair, soap, crochet and mechanical sculptures, through which she creates an environment that interlaces the organic and the inorganic, the animate and the inanimate. Acay invites the viewers to contemplate the origin, the past and the possible future of human kind.
Instead of limiting her works as mere art objects, Acay presents them as archeological artefacts from a natural museum. Inspired by the history of Homo sapiens′ emergence, the artist examines the notions of authority, obedience, hierarchy and control mechanisms.
Prologue, the sculpture of a half human-half monkey figure holding an apple with its skillful hands, greets the viewers of the show. The widespread symbol of creation, “apple” refers to the dawn of human domination over objects. Through this symbol Acay investigates the possibility of an alternative image for the origin of mankind and civilization.
Accompanied by Acay′s proposal of an alternative reading of the history of humankind, viewers encounter the intertwined crooked figures of genderless bodies. They stumble on the fossil-like skeleton figures drawn on soap bars with hair. The three mice sculptures with varied features bring into mind animals that have been slaves of scientific experiments. The publicly known mouse with an unusual ear grown its back evoke images of other species put through mutation due to chemical incidents. With its barely moving tail, The Animal Furniture allows viewers to reflect on power connotations that the act of taking a seat represents.
While encouraging viewers to consider the evolution of power, Acay provides a space to contemplate the future. She highlights the relations of hierarchy and power between mankind and animals. She aims to reveal how man′s relentless urge to objectify, and the way he interacts with other people is reflective of his relationship with animals.
