ARIK LEVY
THE BEAUTY OF THE OTHER
12.07 - 08.09
PİLEVNELİ | YALIKAVAK
PİLEVNELİ Yalıkavak presents Arik Levy’s solo show titled The Beauty of the Other from July 12 to September 8, 2024. Levy continues to develop his research on space and presence, previously explored in his pivotal exhibitions The Other (2007) and Dependence / Independence (2020), through new works in this show. Emphasizing that creation is an uncontrollable process, the multidisciplinary artist invites viewers to explore beneath the surface with his new pieces and reconsider the concept of “the other” from aesthetic, sociological and individual perspectives.
Levy suggests that the presence of the "other" is a force we seldom control, emerging when individuals define and position themselves (ego/self) in relation to their environment. The development and transformation of various forms of relationships between the 'subject' and 'others' can only begin thereafter. The sense of presence in spaces, environments, social groups, or the world of objects enables individuals to distinguish themselves from their surroundings, fostering deep connections with everything they engage with in their awareness of being present. Co-presence, on the other hand, creates shared elements such as concepts, objects, and imagery between the "self" and "the other". As individuals intertwine in each other’s lives, they sometimes diverge, separate completely, or reunite. Thus, these concepts create spaces for freer self-expression, open-mindedness, and connections through heightened awareness, consciousness, and empathy within social structures ranging from the smallest social units to the masses.
In his latest solo exhibition, The Beauty of the Other, artist and designer Arik Levy invites us to rediscover his talent for creating visually striking and intellectually stimulating works. Through the use of innovative materials and forms, Levy seamlessly integrates design with the natural world and merges aesthetic perception with human emotions. His works combine diverse forms with conceptual ideas, sparking a dynamic dialogue between them. By reminding us of the boundless possibilities of artistic expression and the profound joy and beauty found in the interplay between the familiar and the unknown, Levy celebrates these sentiments and encourages us to view nature, forms, and our environment through his transformative perspective.
Reflection, Distortion, Motion and Transformation
Levy frequently employs materials like steel, mirrors, polished stainless steel, and glass in his artworks. These materials not only amplify the visual impact of his pieces but also enable them to interact dynamically with their environments. The reflective surfaces of his sculptures invite viewers to contemplate themselves and their movements within the artwork, fostering a personal connection and an inner space for reflection. This interplay of reflection, distortion, and movement challenges perceptions, encouraging viewers to reflect on both natural and human-made forms and surfaces.
The exhibition titles that Arik Levy chooses for his works, which often revolve around similar forms and technical possibilities, consistently redefine his conceptual framework in each exhibition. These titles encapsulate arguments, definitions, or propositions that are comprehensive, thought-provoking, and open to various interpretations. They mirror Levy's dynamic, creative personality and design-oriented approach, emphasizing both continuity and evolution, as well as differentiation within repetition across his body of work. His artworks intricately convey the dynamics of transformation and movement in their creation.
Influenced by his background in industrial design and his professional journey, Arik Levy facilitates a convergence of art, design, and technology, crafting them into a new language of expression. Inspired by natural elements such as rocks and minerals, Levy's creations not only reflect their surroundings but also integrate seamlessly into natural landscapes, both aesthetically and functionally distinct from them.
In Pursuit of the Beauty of the Other
Levy's latest exhibition, The Beauty of the Other, serves as a reintroduction to his ongoing exploration of form, materials, and the interplay between natural and artificial elements. Through his art, Levy reconstructs a hypothetical nature—what might be termed "the other"—by acknowledging and harmonizing the influence and potency of existing forms alongside his creations. His works do not merely replicate natural shapes; rather, they emerge as new entities with unique genetic codes. For Levy, "the other" extends beyond the coexistence of physical entities; it encompasses interactions between spirits and metaphysical entities, resonating through vibrations, frequencies, and mental proximities that interweave our realities. In these new pieces, the artist offers glimpses into the reciprocal dialogue between mind and soul. Sculptures once meticulously crafted and visually flawless now beckon viewers to explore the mysterious depths beneath their surfaces, inviting contemplation of the intricate interplay between mind and spirit.
This enigmatic depth creates a canvas for imagination, inviting us to envisage what we wish to perceive and what we yearn to experience in the present moment. While identifying himself as a positivist, Levy seeks to convey and celebrate the beauty of "the other" through his mastery of visual language. According to him, beauty exists universally, waiting to be discovered by eyes that seek and hearts that are curious. Once discovered, beauty transcends its physical form or visual appearance.
Through optimistic, supportive, and captivating perspectives, Levy opens pathways for us to explore both ourselves and the essence of "the other." Working with the raw, natural essence of materials, he sculpts and shapes them to unveil their inner energy and vitality, sometimes refining them with polish, other times leaving them close to their original state. In its entirety, this evolution invites us on a new journey of artistic interpretation and metaphor, serving as a testament to the enduring allure and mystique of "the other."
