my first science fiction book, Religion

my first science fiction book, Religion, photo by Stathis Mamalakis. ©Georgia Sagri

Ensemble

Name:

Year:

2015

Mono no aware, literally "the pathos of things", and also translated as "an empathy toward things", or "a sensitivity to ephemera", is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence or transience of things, and both a transient gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing as well as a longer, deeper gentle sadness about this state being the reality of life. The phrase is derived from the Japanese word mono, which means "thing", and aware, which was a Heian period expression of measured surprise, translating roughly as "pathos", "poignancy", "deep feeling", "sensitivity", or "awareness". Thus, mono no aware has frequently been translated as "the 'ahh-ness' of things", life, and love. The awareness of the transience of all things heightens appreciation of their beauty, and evokes a gentle sadness at their passing. Its scope was not only limited to Japanese literature, but rather became associated with Japanese cultural tradition in general. Her artistic practice encompasses installations, videos and self-enacted performances that evolve into a communal shared experience. In Istanbul, she presents my first science fiction book, Religion, a multifarious installation combining different media that suggests a new egalitarian way to exist in the world. In particular, Sagri questions our understanding of religion as institutional protocol - including our recent faith in the potentialities of the cyberspace. In order to imagine how religion can be liberated from its etiquettes and totalities of representation, she brings people from all religions together and they sing in unison. Together, their voices merge and became sounds one never heard, sacred and yet otherworldly – almost a music from the stars. The science fiction book consists of the comments of the viewers watching the performance online; the film is made in 3D; and the sculptures are fragments of movements. Is it possible to go up against the protocols and to reveal the call for absolute love from all of the religions?

- Carolyn Christov-

Exhibition

Foreign Affairs Festival

KW, Berlin

14th Istanbul Biennial

Istanbul, Turkey

Unit

Title: My First Science Fiction Book, Religion

Date: 2015

Medium: 3D video with sound looped, 3D glasses, clay, sand, gypsum, linoleum, wood, LED lights

Duration: 47'12"

Dimensions: Variable

Title: My First Science Fiction Book, Religion

Date: 2015

Medium: Performance

Duration: 8h

Location: KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin

Musicians: Julie Besandilov (kubut), Evren Can Kamam (oud), Annie Garlid (vocal and viola), Matan Gurevitz (contrabass), Rebecca Lane (vocal and flute), Önder Kiran (qanun), Cecília Kleine (vocal and darbouka) Adi Levi (cajón), Manolis Maroudis (vocal), Debjit Pahari (tabla), Babua Pahari (Indian flute), Jan Sameh Regelin (flute), Kennmichael Stafford (vocal), Sophia Zeyse (vocal), Katharina Zeyse (vocal)

Thank you for your patience: More content to be uploaded soon

Access Inventory?

Request a password

Have a password?

Password

Notes

my first science fiction book, Religion
2015

3D video (46:46 min.),

3D glasses, sound, clay, sand, gypsum, print on fabric, linoleum, LED lights, vinyls (“SPYRAL”, “RING”, “ARROW” and “FLASH & TEXT”),

“MANY OF ME AND SUDDENLY” drawing (pencil on paper),

“SPLITTING IN MOLECULES CAN DAMAGE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS” drawing (pencil and ink on paper),

“THINK OF BRIGHT COLOURS SPECIALLY YELLOW” drawing (pencil and ink on paper)

Musicians: Julie Besandilov (kubut), Evren Can Kamam (oud), Annie Garlid (vocal and viola), Matan Gurevitz (contrabass), Rebecca Lane (vocal and flute), Önder Kiran (qanun), Cecília Kleine (vocal and darbouka) Adi Levi (cajón), Manolis Maroudis (vocal), Debjit Pahari (tabla), Babua Pahari (Indian flute), Jan Sameh Regelin (flute), Kennmichael Stafford (vocal), Sophia Zeyse (vocal), Katharina Zeyse (vocal)

Camera: Ilya Lipkin

Assistance: Frederik Grytzman

Photography: Stathis Mamalakis

Fashion Designer: Eleftheria Arapoglou (Digitaria)

Special thanks to Adela Yawitz, Alexios Papazacharias, Emanuel Rossetti, Orsan Berkay Tulusen, Selen Erkal and Aslıhan Altuğ

Co-commissioned by the 14th Istanbul Biennial and KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berliner Festspiele and produced with additional support from Anthony Reynolds Gallery, Lars Friedrich Gallery, Chiona Xanthopoulou-Schwarz and Anna Chatzinasiou and Chrysanthos Panas.

[Mono no aware, literally “the pathos of things”, and also translated as “an empathy toward things”, or “a sensitivity to ephemera”, is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence or transience of things, and both a transient gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing as well as a longer, deeper gentle sadness about this state being the reality of life. The phrase is derived from the Japanese word mono, which means “thing”, and aware, which was a Heian period expression of measured surprise, translating roughly as “pathos”, “poignancy”, “deep feeling”, “sensitivity”, or “awareness”. Thus, mono no aware has frequently been translated as “the ‘ahh-ness’ of things”, life, and love. The awareness of the transience of all things heightens appreciation of their beauty, and evokes a gentle sadness at their passing. Its scope was not only limited to Japanese literature, but rather became associated with Japanese cultural tradition in general.]

my first science fiction book, Religion 2015