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Shay Kun | An Extra

Curator: Meir Loushy

17.1.2013 – 23.2.2013

In his current work, Shay Kun preserves his voice as an American citizen, while mirroring Israel. He employs an arsenal of realistic and fantastic images, momentarily disregarding the private and familial contents addressed in his previous works to confront a global reality which has its manifestations in Tel Aviv as well. Kun enables the social sphere in which the gallery is located to trickle cynically into its sterile interior. The works’ meticulous reduction is juxtaposed with the square tiling of the monumental work on the eastern wall, forming a loud cry about the goings-on in the adjacent streets. The space becomes a part of the reality in the city’s southern quarters, traversed by transparent dark-skinned passersby who dream of leisure activities, of the “good life.” The other whom Kun chooses to depict in his works assumes a familiar visual profile, while epitomizing non-belonging. The manifestation of “familiar foreignness” is deterring and distancing. Kun makes his voice heard as a direct action, instead of putting forth a document. He constructs the narrative of the figure in the work while incorporating allusions to tormented movie stars. The tranquil, nonchalant postures only reinforce the sense of enigma and discontent, like entering a dead end street. The figure’s awkward attempt to belong in reality by opting for a global cultural stereotype is discordant, but it turns out to be an asset which furnishes security and calm. For a brief moment it appears as though the protagonist is the laurelled hero.

Meir Loushy, December 2012

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