mounir fatmi Morocco, 1970
The machinery 02, 2017
Half saw blade with laser cut calligraphies.
39 cm. diameter.
“Machinery” is a series of circular saw blades of different diameters. These sharp blades are covered with calligraphy inscriptions of texts from the Surah or Hadith, evoking the beauty of...
“Machinery” is a series of circular saw blades of different diameters. These sharp blades are covered with calligraphy inscriptions of texts from the Surah or Hadith, evoking the beauty of God or man's capacity, or desire, to obtain knowledge. The beauty of the calligraphy are contrasting violently with the aggressive and dangerous nature of the circular saws displaying an ambiguous beauty.
Breaking down the boundaries between the support and the surface, between the material and the text, these more-than-menacing jagged blades put anyone who gets too close in danger. The viewer is made aware of their absolute vulnerability when confronted with the object as when confronted with the words. In conclusion: words are never harmless.
Breaking down the boundaries between the support and the surface, between the material and the text, these more-than-menacing jagged blades put anyone who gets too close in danger. The viewer is made aware of their absolute vulnerability when confronted with the object as when confronted with the words. In conclusion: words are never harmless.