Arik Levy Indépendance

3

Avec “ Independence ”, l’exposition imaginée pour Espace Muraille, Arik Levy, artiste israélien (né en Israël, 1963), créateur protéiforme et prolifique, questionne la relation de dépendance et d’indépendance des objets, qu’il a conçus et mis en scène in situ, sous différents angles. Cette approche entremêle art et technique, car il faut s’assurer de l’équilibre des forces réunies, comme dans la monumentale sculpture qui occupe toute la surface du 1er niveau de la galerie ( LogFormationDependence ), mais aussi de la relation des œuvres avec les limites de l’espace. Ce faisant, il nous invite à réfléchir sur notre propre rapport visuel, physique, corporel, sinon émotionnel, à notre environnement.

Chaque sculpture présentée dans l’espace, remet en cause notre perception et nous incite à nous confronter à toute sa complexité spatiale, mais aussi sa force et sa fragilité, sa dépendance voulue et nécessaire à son équilibre, que ce soit dans sa forme, son positionnement ou dans les matériaux qui la composent.

Arik Levy pense que “ le monde est fait de gens, pas d’objets ”.

En tant qu’artiste et créateur, il nous invite à déchiffrer le sens que ces pièces revêtent pour nous et à le suivre dans son questionnement. “ Être ou ne pas être ”, dépendance ou indépendance, affinités électives, ou encore “ Minimal Maximal ”, par allusion à ces récentes chorégraphies de Ioannis Mandafounis, Andonis Foniakadis et Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, montrées au Grand Théâtre de Genève, il est dans le propre de l’homme d’être au monde, d’y trouver sa place et d’en changer, de faire des choix, tout en étant conscient des rapports de dépendance et d’indépendance qui se créent ainsi.

Dans le programme du spectacle “ Minimal Maximal ” précité, Ioannis Mandafounis, interviewé sur sa création chorégraphique “ Fearful Symmetries ”, déclare que par le mouvement des danseurs, il a cherché à renverser les effroyables symétries, car, comme il le dit lui-même, “ On ne mesure pas seulement l’espace en ressentant ou en faisant du mouvement, on doit aussi se mesurer à l’espace. L’espace est tellement infini et nous sommes tellement définis par notre corps. Je ne ressens pas l’espace de la même manière si je regarde un objet lointain ou si je regarde ma main. Comment renverser cela ? ”.

Arik Levy, dans sa pratique artistique plasticienne, joue avec ces notions, mais sa chorégraphie s’applique à des objets inanimés qui n’ont pas le langage du corps pour s’exprimer.

Sa démarche me fait également penser à une magnifique et récente exposition de l’artiste Edmund de Waal (exposé à l’Espace Muraille début 2017) à la Frick Collection de New York, intitulée “ Elective Affinities ”, où l’artiste fait dialoguer à la perfection in situ ses installations de porcelaine avec sa passion pour l’architecture, l’espace et le son, à la recherche d’un équilibre volontaire et idéal, à l’instar des “ Affinités électives ” du roman de Goethe, où les équilibres scientifiques et chimiques sont bouleversés par ceux de l’amour et de la création littéraire.

Les choix cornéliens qui nous habitent, auxquels l’exposition d’Arik Levy rend magnifiquement hommage, s’inscrivent parfaitement dans l’air du temps, celui de l’ “ en même temps ”, comme il le dit lui-même : “ Nous luttons pour notre indépendance. Mais, en même temps que nous désirons la liberté et l’indépendance, nous souhaitons faire partie de quelque chose, avec quelqu’un, quelque part ”.

Nous, les hommes, sommes encombrés de trop d’instincts, comme le relève Sylvain Tesson dans son dernier puissant récit consacré à la panthère des neiges, couronné du prix Renaudot 2019. Après avoir cité la fulgurance d’Aristote : “ Chaque animal réalise sa part de vie et de beauté. ”, il en conclut que “ Les bêtes occupent leur juste place, sans dépasser les parapets institués par les tâtonnements de l’Evolution, puissance d’équilibre. ”.

Les objets inanimés, de leur côté, comme ceux que crée Arik Levy, en leur insufflant beauté et équilibre, sont les dépositaires de ses concepts et réflexions philosophiques, et prennent tout à coup présence et vie à l’aune d’une nouvelle échelle à prendre en perspective, grâce au souffle inspiré qui les anime.

Que ce catalogue permette au lecteur de prolonger la visite de cette exposition au choix de son agrément, de son humeur et de ses réflexions, guidé par les pensées et visions fondamentales qu’Arik Levy nous donne à voir et à ressentir.

Caroline Freymond Novembre 2019

5

4

IndependenceStone&Bar

/ 2015 / sculpture, painted metal bar and stone L260 x W5 x H5 cm

7

6

MutualAir

/ 2019 / installation, mixed media L36 x W14,2 x H50,6 cm each element

9

8

Definitions The word independent means “not dependent”, or not having to depend on anyone or anything else. It also means being strong and able to survive alone.

Anything can be dependent or independent. When people talk about independence, it may be about people or countries, where it is often being spoken about as a good thing.

For places, it may mean sovereignty or autonomy. In science, as in independent variable the word does not mean it’s good or bad.

A dependant ( British English ) or dependent ( American English ) is a person who relies on another as a primary source of income. For example, minors ( children who are under the age of majority ) are dependent of their parents or legal guardians. A common-law spouse who is financially supported by their partner may also be included in this definition. In some jurisdictions, supporting a dependent may enable the provider to claim a tax deduction.

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process — one which is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus — is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction. The two properties that characterize all addictive stimuli are that they are reinforcing ( i.e., they increase the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to them ) and intrinsically rewarding ( i.e., they are perceived as being inherently positive, desirable, and pleasurable ).

Addiction is a disorder of the brain’s reward system, which arises through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and develops over time from chronically high levels of exposure to an addictive stimulus ( e.g., eating food, the use of cocaine, engagement in sexual activity, participation in high-thrill cultural activities such as gambling, etc. ).

Synonyms Ability, Autonomy, Self-determination, Self-government, Self-reliance, Self-rule, Self-sufficiently, Separation, Sovereignty, Aptitude, Autarchy, License, Qualification, Home Rule…

IndependenceCeramic&Bar

/ 2015 / installation, painted metal bar and ceramic vases L145 x W5 x H5 cm (bar)

10

11

13

12

LogFusionWall 102 Bronze

/ 2018 / sculpture, patinated bronze L102 x W37 x H73 cm

15

14

Dependance 01

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60 x 3 cm

17

16

Dependance 03

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60 x 3 cm

Dependance 04

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60x3 cm

19

18

IndependenceH2O

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

21

20

IndependenceMotherHand / 2019 / photography, print

IndependenceSisterHand

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

23

22

ChemicalPlate GeneticIntimacy

/ 2012 / wall sculpture, engraved Hi-Macs® natural acrylic stone L59,4 x W42 x H1,2 cm

ChemicalPlate UncontrolledMuscleMakeUsBeAlive

/ 2012 / wall sculpture, engraved Hi-Macs® natural acrylic stone L59,4 x W42 xH1,2 cm

25

24

It feels like an uncontrolled muscle…

I wake up in the morning and my entire space of mind re-opens to these paradoxical questions, existential or not, social, emotional, physical such as “ what is my gravity compared to the earth gravity of which we all depend ? ” etc..

A tree is independent above ground, but dependent on its roots underground: this observation awakens a reflexion about balance and imbalance: is physical balance a guarantee to mental balance?

I investigate the notion of independence and dependence, support and care, above-ground and underground, which all have personal and social references as well as botanical. This subject defines not only a state of mind but also the situation of a person, people, society, spirit, animals, speech, thoughts etc..

To have a counter balance is being dependent of a relationship, but there is a beauty in this juxtaposition of opposites. Words fix images in our mind, create a context that is influenced by social experiences or personal conditions: we sometimes might give the most important thought to the action, but not to the reason or the path of an experience, while even the most unsignificant moment can overpower a lifetime of existence and passion.

We fight for our independence, but we wish to be part of something somewhere, of someone, while we yearn for freedom and independence. The anchor that frees the mind is also its retainer: it takes a tantric discipline to shift the mind to all the positive aspects and impact of the very understanding that there is a cord there somewhere.

With relationships come empowered fragility, conflicts of oppositions, but also support and stability: it is the fine balance and tension that I am experiencing with these works, that seek to open a window on these empathic channels, a tension one can feel and measure with one’s own physical abilities and metaphysical tools of life.

Dependence and independence are like action and reaction: you are independent when you choose, but you are dependent with your choice; they also express a condition of relationships: you might be independent as you are supported by your partner, but you are dependent on this support.

The works in the exhibition express all of these concepts in many ways. While working on these materials and discovering the space during my different visits to the gallery, I focused on the notion to which many of my ideas converge, like a beam radiating from a concentrated source. The gallery space evoked several ideas: having to be inside the old city walls that provided protection, but also a frame one cannot go beyond, as well as having an above ground and underground, like an inside-out. I also wanted to change the dimensions of the space by investigating the scale and proportion of the works and physical perception, its position and orientation, so as to give an affronting encounter with ourselves, body and mind.

I see the balance between these points as a ground zero from where we can take any direction towards what we feel can help us advance.

Sculptures and paintings are expressions of this moment, that might either take a fraction of a second or a lifelong reflection, a moment where we associate with one of the elements in view.

Arik Levy IndependenceUpsideDown / 2019 / photography, print

27

26

MicroRockFormationBronze 003

/ 2016 / sculpture, fixed formation, patinated bronze L39 x W20 x H63 cm

29

28

MicroRockFormationWood (2 Rocks)

/ 2018 / sculpture, fixed formation, oakwood L23 x W32 x H55 cm

MicroRockFormationWoodFire 103

/ 2019 / sculpture, fixed formation, fired oak wood L53 x W42 x H103 cm

MicroRockFormationBronze 4

/ 2014 / sculpture, fixed formation, mirror polished bronze L26 x W22 x H78 cm

31

30

RockFormationTower 305

/ 2018 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine Grade stainless steel L113 x W129 x H305 cm

33

32

RockFormationTower 350 Corten / 2019 / sculpture, Corten steel L189 x W131 x H350 cm

34

35

37

36

IndependenceGlass

/ 2019 / installation view, exhibition Intersection of Existence

39

38

SpaceFacet ( detail)

/ 2016 / sculpture, glass 10 mm, rope

IndependenceGlass

/ 2019 / installation view, exhibition Intersection of Existence

41

40

GlassBlock Reflection 33

/ 2019 / sculpture, polished bronze, glass L33 x W20 x H24 cm each element

43

42

GlassBlock 33 installation

/ 2019 / sculpture, polished bronze, patinated bronze L33 x W20 x H24 cm each element

45

44

GlassBlock 34

/ 2019 / sculpture, patinated bronze L25 x W22,5 x H34

GlassBlock Reflection 33

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror polished bronze and glass L34 x W27 x H45 cm

GlassBlock Reflection 34

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished bronze and glass L25 x W22,5 x H34 cm each element

47

46

MicroRockFormationWoodFire 71

/ 2019 / sculpture, fixed formation, fired oak wood L49 x W43 x H71 cm

49

48

RockStoneShift 235

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L120 x W 115 x H235 cm Installation view Blickachsen 12 (2019) in Frankfurt

51

50

RockQuake 66 BronzeRaw / 2018 / sculpture, raw bronze L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 66

/ 2016 / sculpture, patinated bronze L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 56

/ 2016 / sculpture, patinated bronze L36 x W40 x H56 cm

53

52

RockFusionGiant 420

/ 2017 / sculpture, fine textured blue painted stainless steel L210 x W221 x H420 cm

55

54

RockFormationTower 350

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished and patinated bronze L122 x W113 x H350 cm

57

56

RockGrowthCube 53 Wood

/ 2015 / sculpture, matte black-painted natural oakwood L53 x W53 x H53cm

59

58

RockGrowth 115 Root

/ 2018 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L40 x W48 x H115 cm

61

60

BarbedWire Yes

/ 2017 / wall sculpture, handmade barbed wire in brass plated 24 carats gold and wooden frame L65 x W6 x H47 cm

63

62

BarbedWire LoveMeTender

/ 2014 / wall sculpture, handmade barbed wire in brass plated 24 carats gold and wooden frame L52,5 x W6 x H52,5 cm

BarbedWire LoveMeTenderInverted

/ 2014 / wall sculpture, handmade barbed wire in brass plated 24 carats gold and wooden frame L52,5 x W6 x H52,5 cm

65

64

RockGrowthCube 150

/ 2017 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L150 x W150 x H150 cm

67

66

RockStoneFusionVertical 170

/ 2017 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L108 x W110 x H170 cm

69

68

TheNewWorldBronze

/ 2016 / mirror-polished and patinated bronze L27 x W27 x H37 cm

71

70

GiantLog

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel 316 L L135 x W300 x H1300 cm Installation view Blickachsen 12 (2019) in Bad Homburg

73

72

Genesis

/ 2018 / sculpture, mouth-blown colored and silvered artistic glass L45 x W20 x H35 cm

75

74

SocialSkinBronze A4

/ 2016 / sculpture, mirror-polished bronze L30 x W21 x H29 cm

77

76

FractalLEDFloor

/ 2012 / intersecting dimmable LED lights, coated medium wood base and chromed iron stick L180 x W90 x H140 cm

FractalBalance

/ 2016 / intersecting dimmable Led lights strips, 2 x 4 power units, acrylic stone disc and mirror-polished stainless steel balance bar L180 x W90 x H140 cm

78

79

81

80

IndependencePassport 2020

BarbedWire Love

/ 2015 / wall sculpture, handmade barbed wire in brass plated 24 carats gold and wooden frame L89 x W6 x H64 cm

83

82

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

85

84

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

BarbedWire Merci

/ 2015 / wall sculpture, handmade barbed wire in brass plated 24 carats gold and wooden frame L114,5 x W6 x H45 cm

87

86

IndependenceDiamond&Bar

installation view

89

88

Hug

/ 2012 / video 6minutes 42 seconds

91

90

SparklerAnticipation

/ 2019 / photographic print

93

92

Sparkler 49sec

/ 2019 / photographic print

Sparkler 17sec

/ 2012 / photographic print

Sparkler 39sec

/ 2012 / photographic print

95

94

SparklerEnd

/ 2019 / photographic print

97

96

NewBeginning

/ 2019 / photographic print

99

98

ZeroLoss

/ 2019 / photographic print

101

100

WoodSplitTop

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

WoodSplitSide

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

103

102

Exhibition studies / 2020 / drawing

105

104

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cm

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

107

106

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cmi

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

109

108

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cmi

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

111

110

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cmi

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

113

112

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cmi

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

115

114

RockQuake 39

/ 2016 / patinated bronze L43 x W37 x H39 cm

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

117

116

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

119

118

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

RockQuake 39

/ 2016 / patinated bronze L43 x W37 x H39 cm

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

installation view, simulation exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Arik Levy would like to thank the members of Arik Levy Studio for their dedication and support: Aymeric Audouin Raffaella J. Cattaneo Lucile Clowez Néhémy Goguely Vadim Konstantinov Vincent Levrey Special thanks to: Caroline Freymond Eric Freymond

ARTWORK Arik Levy ART DIRECTION Arik Levy GRAPHIC DESIGN Arik Levy Studio Vadim Konstantinov & Arik Levy TEXTS Caroline Freymond Arik Levy TEXT EDITING Raffaella J. Cattaneo

IMAGES CREDITS Arik Levy Studio pages: 4-9, 12-29, 36-47, 50-51, 54-65, 67-69, 73-119 courtesy Louise Alexander Gallery pages: 33-35 courtesy Galerie Scheffel pages: 49, 66, 70-71 courtesy Ilan Engel Gallery page: 9 courtesy Tom Fecht, photographer pages: 10-11, 53 courtesy Pilevneli Gallery pages: 36-37, 39

PRINTED IN TURKEY

by Ofset Yapimevi http://www.ofset.com Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked the necessary arrangements will be made at the first opportunity.

All opinions expressed within this publication are those of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission of Arik Levy SARL and Arik Levy.

© 2020 Arik Levy Studio Arik Levy and authors

© 2020 Espace Muraille

All rights reserved.

Arik Levy Studio

Espace Muraille Caroline et Eric Freymond Nicolas Christol

29, rue des Panoyaux 75020 Paris France www.ariklevy.fr www.instagram.com/arik_levy contact@ariklevy.fr

5, place de Casemates CP 3166 / 1211 Geneva 3 / Switzerland T.: +41 (0)22 310 4292 info@espacemuraille.com www.espacemuraille.com

ISBN 978-2-9562950-3-7

3

Avec “ Independence ”, l’exposition imaginée pour Espace Muraille, Arik Levy, artiste israélien (né en Israël, 1963), créateur protéiforme et prolifique, questionne la relation de dépendance et d’indépendance des objets, qu’il a conçus et mis en scène in situ, sous différents angles. Cette approche entremêle art et technique, car il faut s’assurer de l’équilibre des forces réunies, comme dans la monumentale sculpture qui occupe toute la surface du 1er niveau de la galerie ( LogFormationDependence ), mais aussi de la relation des œuvres avec les limites de l’espace. Ce faisant, il nous invite à réfléchir sur notre propre rapport visuel, physique, corporel, sinon émotionnel, à notre environnement.

Chaque sculpture présentée dans l’espace, remet en cause notre perception et nous incite à nous confronter à toute sa complexité spatiale, mais aussi sa force et sa fragilité, sa dépendance voulue et nécessaire à son équilibre, que ce soit dans sa forme, son positionnement ou dans les matériaux qui la composent.

Arik Levy pense que “ le monde est fait de gens, pas d’objets ”.

En tant qu’artiste et créateur, il nous invite à déchiffrer le sens que ces pièces revêtent pour nous et à le suivre dans son questionnement. “ Être ou ne pas être ”, dépendance ou indépendance, affinités électives, ou encore “ Minimal Maximal ”, par allusion à ces récentes chorégraphies de Ioannis Mandafounis, Andonis Foniakadis et Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, montrées au Grand Théâtre de Genève, il est dans le propre de l’homme d’être au monde, d’y trouver sa place et d’en changer, de faire des choix, tout en étant conscient des rapports de dépendance et d’indépendance qui se créent ainsi.

Dans le programme du spectacle “ Minimal Maximal ” précité, Ioannis Mandafounis, interviewé sur sa création chorégraphique “ Fearful Symmetries ”, déclare que par le mouvement des danseurs, il a cherché à renverser les effroyables symétries, car, comme il le dit lui-même, “ On ne mesure pas seulement l’espace en ressentant ou en faisant du mouvement, on doit aussi se mesurer à l’espace. L’espace est tellement infini et nous sommes tellement définis par notre corps. Je ne ressens pas l’espace de la même manière si je regarde un objet lointain ou si je regarde ma main. Comment renverser cela ? ”.

Arik Levy, dans sa pratique artistique plasticienne, joue avec ces notions, mais sa chorégraphie s’applique à des objets inanimés qui n’ont pas le langage du corps pour s’exprimer.

Sa démarche me fait également penser à une magnifique et récente exposition de l’artiste Edmund de Waal (exposé à l’Espace Muraille début 2017) à la Frick Collection de New York, intitulée “ Elective Affinities ”, où l’artiste fait dialoguer à la perfection in situ ses installations de porcelaine avec sa passion pour l’architecture, l’espace et le son, à la recherche d’un équilibre volontaire et idéal, à l’instar des “ Affinités électives ” du roman de Goethe, où les équilibres scientifiques et chimiques sont bouleversés par ceux de l’amour et de la création littéraire.

Les choix cornéliens qui nous habitent, auxquels l’exposition d’Arik Levy rend magnifiquement hommage, s’inscrivent parfaitement dans l’air du temps, celui de l’ “ en même temps ”, comme il le dit lui-même : “ Nous luttons pour notre indépendance. Mais, en même temps que nous désirons la liberté et l’indépendance, nous souhaitons faire partie de quelque chose, avec quelqu’un, quelque part ”.

Nous, les hommes, sommes encombrés de trop d’instincts, comme le relève Sylvain Tesson dans son dernier puissant récit consacré à la panthère des neiges, couronné du prix Renaudot 2019. Après avoir cité la fulgurance d’Aristote : “ Chaque animal réalise sa part de vie et de beauté. ”, il en conclut que “ Les bêtes occupent leur juste place, sans dépasser les parapets institués par les tâtonnements de l’Evolution, puissance d’équilibre. ”.

Les objets inanimés, de leur côté, comme ceux que crée Arik Levy, en leur insufflant beauté et équilibre, sont les dépositaires de ses concepts et réflexions philosophiques, et prennent tout à coup présence et vie à l’aune d’une nouvelle échelle à prendre en perspective, grâce au souffle inspiré qui les anime.

Que ce catalogue permette au lecteur de prolonger la visite de cette exposition au choix de son agrément, de son humeur et de ses réflexions, guidé par les pensées et visions fondamentales qu’Arik Levy nous donne à voir et à ressentir.

Caroline Freymond Novembre 2019

5

4

IndependenceStone&Bar

/ 2015 / sculpture, painted metal bar and stone L260 x W5 x H5 cm

7

6

MutualAir

/ 2019 / installation, mixed media L36 x W14,2 x H50,6 cm each element

9

8

Definitions The word independent means “not dependent”, or not having to depend on anyone or anything else. It also means being strong and able to survive alone.

Anything can be dependent or independent. When people talk about independence, it may be about people or countries, where it is often being spoken about as a good thing.

For places, it may mean sovereignty or autonomy. In science, as in independent variable the word does not mean it’s good or bad.

A dependant ( British English ) or dependent ( American English ) is a person who relies on another as a primary source of income. For example, minors ( children who are under the age of majority ) are dependent of their parents or legal guardians. A common-law spouse who is financially supported by their partner may also be included in this definition. In some jurisdictions, supporting a dependent may enable the provider to claim a tax deduction.

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process — one which is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus — is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction. The two properties that characterize all addictive stimuli are that they are reinforcing ( i.e., they increase the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to them ) and intrinsically rewarding ( i.e., they are perceived as being inherently positive, desirable, and pleasurable ).

Addiction is a disorder of the brain’s reward system, which arises through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and develops over time from chronically high levels of exposure to an addictive stimulus ( e.g., eating food, the use of cocaine, engagement in sexual activity, participation in high-thrill cultural activities such as gambling, etc. ).

Synonyms Ability, Autonomy, Self-determination, Self-government, Self-reliance, Self-rule, Self-sufficiently, Separation, Sovereignty, Aptitude, Autarchy, License, Qualification, Home Rule…

IndependenceCeramic&Bar

/ 2015 / installation, painted metal bar and ceramic vases L145 x W5 x H5 cm (bar)

10

11

13

12

LogFusionWall 102 Bronze

/ 2018 / sculpture, patinated bronze L102 x W37 x H73 cm

15

14

Dependance 01

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60 x 3 cm

17

16

Dependance 03

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60 x 3 cm

Dependance 04

/ 2014 / painting, acrylic on hand made paper L80 x W60x3 cm

19

18

IndependenceH2O

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

21

20

IndependenceMotherHand / 2019 / photography, print

IndependenceSisterHand

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

23

22

ChemicalPlate GeneticIntimacy

/ 2012 / wall sculpture, engraved Hi-Macs® natural acrylic stone L59,4 x W42 x H1,2 cm

ChemicalPlate UncontrolledMuscleMakeUsBeAlive

/ 2012 / wall sculpture, engraved Hi-Macs® natural acrylic stone L59,4 x W42 xH1,2 cm

25

24

It feels like an uncontrolled muscle…

I wake up in the morning and my entire space of mind re-opens to these paradoxical questions, existential or not, social, emotional, physical such as “ what is my gravity compared to the earth gravity of which we all depend ? ” etc..

A tree is independent above ground, but dependent on its roots underground: this observation awakens a reflexion about balance and imbalance: is physical balance a guarantee to mental balance?

I investigate the notion of independence and dependence, support and care, above-ground and underground, which all have personal and social references as well as botanical. This subject defines not only a state of mind but also the situation of a person, people, society, spirit, animals, speech, thoughts etc..

To have a counter balance is being dependent of a relationship, but there is a beauty in this juxtaposition of opposites. Words fix images in our mind, create a context that is influenced by social experiences or personal conditions: we sometimes might give the most important thought to the action, but not to the reason or the path of an experience, while even the most unsignificant moment can overpower a lifetime of existence and passion.

We fight for our independence, but we wish to be part of something somewhere, of someone, while we yearn for freedom and independence. The anchor that frees the mind is also its retainer: it takes a tantric discipline to shift the mind to all the positive aspects and impact of the very understanding that there is a cord there somewhere.

With relationships come empowered fragility, conflicts of oppositions, but also support and stability: it is the fine balance and tension that I am experiencing with these works, that seek to open a window on these empathic channels, a tension one can feel and measure with one’s own physical abilities and metaphysical tools of life.

Dependence and independence are like action and reaction: you are independent when you choose, but you are dependent with your choice; they also express a condition of relationships: you might be independent as you are supported by your partner, but you are dependent on this support.

The works in the exhibition express all of these concepts in many ways. While working on these materials and discovering the space during my different visits to the gallery, I focused on the notion to which many of my ideas converge, like a beam radiating from a concentrated source. The gallery space evoked several ideas: having to be inside the old city walls that provided protection, but also a frame one cannot go beyond, as well as having an above ground and underground, like an inside-out. I also wanted to change the dimensions of the space by investigating the scale and proportion of the works and physical perception, its position and orientation, so as to give an affronting encounter with ourselves, body and mind.

I see the balance between these points as a ground zero from where we can take any direction towards what we feel can help us advance.

Sculptures and paintings are expressions of this moment, that might either take a fraction of a second or a lifelong reflection, a moment where we associate with one of the elements in view.

Arik Levy IndependenceUpsideDown / 2019 / photography, print

27

26

MicroRockFormationBronze 003

/ 2016 / sculpture, fixed formation, patinated bronze L39 x W20 x H63 cm

29

28

MicroRockFormationWood (2 Rocks)

/ 2018 / sculpture, fixed formation, oakwood L23 x W32 x H55 cm

MicroRockFormationWoodFire 103

/ 2019 / sculpture, fixed formation, fired oak wood L53 x W42 x H103 cm

MicroRockFormationBronze 4

/ 2014 / sculpture, fixed formation, mirror polished bronze L26 x W22 x H78 cm

31

30

RockFormationTower 305

/ 2018 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine Grade stainless steel L113 x W129 x H305 cm

33

32

RockFormationTower 350 Corten

/ 2019 / sculpture, Corten steel L189 x W131 x H350 cm

34

35

37

36

IndependenceGlass

/ 2019 / installation view, exhibition Intersection of Existence

39

38

SpaceFacet ( detail) / 2016 / sculpture, glass 10 mm, rope

IndependenceGlass

/ 2019 / installation view, exhibition Intersection of Existence

41

40

GlassBlock Reflection 33

/ 2019 / sculpture, polished bronze, glass L33 x W20 x H24 cm each element

43

42

GlassBlock 33 installation

/ 2019 / sculpture, polished bronze, patinated bronze L33 x W20 x H24 cm each element

45

44

GlassBlock 34

/ 2019 / sculpture, patinated bronze L25 x W22,5 x H34

GlassBlock Reflection 33

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror polished bronze and glass L34 x W27 x H45 cm

GlassBlock Reflection 34

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished bronze and glass L25 x W22,5 x H34 cm each element

47

46

MicroRockFormationWoodFire 71

/ 2019 / sculpture, fixed formation, fired solid oakwood L49 x W43 x H71 cm

49

48

RockStoneShift 235

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L120 x W 115 x H235 cm Installation view Blickachsen 12 (2019) in Frankfurt

51

50

RockQuake 66 BronzeRaw / 2018 / sculpture, raw bronze L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 66

/ 2016 / sculpture, patinated bronze L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 56

/ 2016 / sculpture, patinated bronze L36 x W40 x H56 cm

53

52

RockFusionGiant 420

/ 2017 / sculpture, fine textured blue painted stainless steel L210 x W221 x H420 cm

55

54

RockFormationTower 350

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished and patinated bronze L122 x W113 x H350 cm

57

56

RockGrowthCube 53 Wood

/ 2015 / sculpture, matte black-painted natural oakwood L53 x W53 x H53cm

59

58

RockGrowth 115 Root

/ 2018 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L40 x W48 x H115 cm

61

60

BarbedWire Yes

/ 2017 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L65 x W6 x H47 cm

63

62

BarbedWire LoveMeTender

/ 2014 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L52,5 x W6 x H52,5 cm

BarbedWire LoveMeTenderInverted

/ 2014 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L52,5 x W6 x H52,5 cm

65

64

RockGrowthCube 150

/ 2017 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L150 x W150 x H150 cm

67

66

RockStoneFusionVertical 170

/ 2017 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L108 x W110 x H170 cm

RockStoneFusionVertical 175

/ 2016 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L96 x W76 x H175 cm

69

68

TheNewWorldBronze

/ 2016 / mirror-polished and patinated bronze L27 x W27 x H37 cm

71

70

GiantLog

/ 2019 / sculpture, mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel 316 L L135 x W300 x H1300 cm Installation view Blickachsen 12 (2019) in Bad Homburg

73

72

Genesis

/ 2018 / sculpture, mouth-blown colored and silvered artistic glass L45 x W20 x H35 cm

75

74

SocialSkinBronze A4

/ 2016 / sculpture, mirror-polished bronze L30 x W21 x H29 cm

77

76

FractalLEDFloor

/ 2012 / intersecting dimmable LED lights, coated medium wood base and chromed iron stick L180 x W90 x H140 cm

FractalBalance

/ 2016 / intersecting dimmable Led lights strips, 2 x 4 power units, acrylic stone disc and mirror-polished stainless steel balance bar L180 x W90 x H140 cm

78

79

81

80

IndependencePassport 2020

BarbedWire Love

/ 2015 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L89 x W6 x H64 cm

83

82

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

85

84

LogPainting

/ 2014 / acrylic on hand made paper L68 x W48 cm

BarbedWire Merci

/ 2015 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L114,5 x W6 x H45 cm

87

86

IndependenceDiamond&Bar

installation view

89

88

Hug

/ 2012 / video 6minutes 42 seconds

91

90

SparklerAnticipation

/ 2019 / photographic print

93

92

Sparkler 49sec

/ 2019 / photographic print

Sparkler 17sec

/ 2012 / photographic print

Sparkler 39sec

/ 2012 / photographic print

95

94

SparklerEnd

/ 2019 / photographic print

97

96

NewBeginning

/ 2019 / photographic print

99

98

ZeroLoss

/ 2019 / photographic print

101

100

WoodSplitTop

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

WoodSplitSide

/ 2019 / unique photographic print

103

102

exhibition studies / 2020 / drawing

105

104

installation view,

exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cm

107

106

LogFormationDependence 595 (detail)

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cm

109

108

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

RockGrowth 60

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L54 x W42 x H60 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

RockGrowthCube 53 Wood

/ 2015 / sculpture, matte black-painted natural oakwood L53 x W53 x H53cm

111

110

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

RockQuake 66 Bronze Raw

/ 2018 / natural bronze soft brushing on facet surfaces and patinated cavities L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 39

/ 2016 / patinated bronze L43 x W37 x H39 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

113

112

RockQuake 66 Bronze Raw

/ 2018 / natural bronze soft brushing on facet surfaces and patinated cavities L35 x W35 x H65 cm

RockQuake 39

/ 2016 / patinated bronze L43 x W37 x H39 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten / 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm

115

114

RockGrowth 304 Root Corten /DependenceGlass 2019 / Corten steel L521 x W303 x H304 cm / 2015 / glass and various materials L31,5 x W26 x H16,5 cm

installation view, exhibition installation Independence, view, exhibition 2020 Espace Independence, Muraille, 2020 Geneva, Espace Switzerland Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

IndependenceH2O

/ 2020 / pencil on tracing paper L26 x W35 x H4,5 cm framed

RockGrowth 280 Root

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel L116 x W97 x H28 cm

117

116

MicroRockFormationWoodFire 103

/ 2019 / sculpture, fixed formation, fired solid oakwood L53 x W42 x H103 cm

Reflection

/ 2007 / turned solid oakwood, pyrex glass and stainless steel ø22 x H28 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

AxConcrete

/ 2010 / concrete block, wooden ax L36 x W24 x H33 cm

119

118

LogFormationDependence 595

/ 2019 / mirror-polished Marine-Grade stainless steel and painted steel, polished bronze L595 x W84 x H68 cm - L141 x W59 x H42 cm

BarbedWire Merci

/ 2015 / handmade brass barbed wire plated 24 carats gold, wooden frame L114,5 x W6 x H45 cm

installation view, exhibition Independence, 2020 Espace Muraille, Geneva, Switzerland

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Arik Levy would like to thank the members of Arik Levy Studio for their dedication and support: Aymeric Audouin Raffaella J. Cattaneo Lucile Clowez Néhémy Goguely Vadim Konstantinov Vincent Levrey Special thanks to: Caroline Freymond Eric Freymond

ARTWORK Arik Levy ART DIRECTION Arik Levy GRAPHIC DESIGN Arik Levy Studio Vadim Konstantinov & Arik Levy TEXTS Caroline Freymond Arik Levy TEXT EDITING Raffaella J. Cattaneo

IMAGES CREDITS Arik Levy Studio pages: 4-9, 12-29, 36-47, 50-51, 54-65, 67-69, 73-103, 116, 118 courtesy Espace Muraille pages: 104-115, 117, 119 courtesy Louise Alexander Gallery pages: 33-35 courtesy Galerie Scheffel pages: 49, 66, 70-71 courtesy Ilan Engel Gallery page: 9 courtesy Yvan Grubski, photographer page: 31 courtesy Tom Fecht, photographer pages: 10-11, 53 courtesy Pilevneli Gallery pages: 36-37, 39

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Arik Levy Studio

Espace Muraille Caroline et Eric Freymond Nicolas Christol

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ISBN 978-2-9562950-3-7