Progress-Regress

Serkan Yüksel

29 February - 30 March 2024

Serkan Yüksel's seventh solo exhibition, titled "Progress-Regress," will be presented to the audience at x-ist from February 29 to March 30, 2024.

 

The exhibition takes its name from the short story "Progress-Regress" in Julio Cortazar's book "Instructions." In this story, Cortazar illustrates the struggle of a Hungarian scientist against flies by inventing a flytrap to catch them. With the invention of the trap, the enjoyable life of the flies turns unpleasant, thus breaking the delicate bond between humanity and flies. Inspired by this story, the artist explores the complexity of the relationship between humans and nature and examines their impact on each other.

 

Additionally, Yüksel draws inspiration from David Cronenberg's 1986 film "The Fly," where a scientist, after a malfunction in a teleportation experiment resembling a ribcage, transforms into a fly. By studying how this situation leads to societal criticisms, the artist focuses on questioning society's understanding of progress and the impact of technology on nature.

 

Using metaphorical narratives, irony, and caricatured situations, the artist critiques the current societal, political, and sociopolitical dynamics. The exhibition guides viewers to contemplate the concepts of progress and regress in society through the relationships between flies, humans, and nature. In societies with constantly increasing populations, it encourages reflection on the perspectives on nature and the economic implications.

 

"Progress-Regress" can be viewed at x-ist's Karaköy Juma Building from February 29 to March 30, 2024, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM from Tuesday to Saturday.

Black Notebook, Page 14

White ink and acrylic paper, Framed 44 x 36,5 cm, Unframed 29 x 22 cm

Black Notebook, Page 17

White ink and acrylic paper, Framed 44 x 36,5 cm, Unframed 29 x 22 cm

Black Notebook, Page 15

White ink and acrylic paper, Framed 44 x 36,5 cm, Unframed 29 x 22 cm

Inrush

Handcut on paper, spray paint, 112 x 82 cm

Progress-Regress I

Handcut on paper and poster, spray paint, 125 x 95 cm

Tip of Nose

Handcut on paper, spray paint, 97 x 91 cm

Progress-Regress II

Handcut on paper and poster, spray paint, 125 x 95 cm

Small Portion

Handcut on paper, spray paint, ? 172,5 cm

Despite

Handcut on paper, spray paint, 164 x 146,5 cm

Altitude II

Handcut on paper, spray paint, 134,5 x 116 cm

Buzz IV

Handcut on paper, spray paint, ? 380 cm

Passion That Has Lost Its Meaning

Mixed technique, Various sizes

Casual Clothes

3D model, handcut on paper, Various sizes

Fertil Lands I

Handcut on notebook paper, found material, 34 x 26 x 53,5 cm

Fertil Lands II

Handcut on notebook paper, found material, 38 x 25,5 x 74 cm

Fertil Lands III

Handcut on notebook paper, found material, 38 x 26 x 55,5 cm