Sislej Xhafa

Artist Talk

March 10, 2017 / 18:30

Join artist Sislej Xhafa to discuss his work in relation to Pera Museum’s Cold Front from the Balkans exhibition. The artist will discuss his work Still Untitled from the exhibition as well as his other works. The talk will focus on stereotypical views, an on-going theme in many of his works, as well as how the social, economic, and political reality of today’s society are positioned around consumption culture. His Kosovan roots and the questioning of legal status constitute the basis of his artistic quest. He uses his personal experiences to study the processes such as tourism, enforced illegality, the concept of a nation, and the refusal to use the right to vote. Xhafa uses a conceptual language and an ironic, humorous, and disruptive attitude.

Sislej Xhafa was born in Kosova in 1970 and currently lives in New York. Throughout his career, he has held many exhibitions in international venues. Among selected exhibitions are MAXXI Museum, Rome (2016); GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano (2016); 55th Venice Biennial, Italian Pavilion, Venice (2013); Blain Southern Gallery, London (2013); Non Gallery, Istanbul (2012); GALLERIA CONTINUA, Les Moulins (2012). Xhafa will represent the Republic of Kosova at the 2017 Venice Biennial.

Free of admissions, drop in. This event will take place in the auditorium. The talk will be in English with simultaneous Turkish translation.

Temporary Exhibition

Cold Front from the Balkans

Pera Museum’s Cold Front from the Balkans exhibition curated by Ali Akay and Alenka Gregorič brought together contemporary artists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia.

Cold Front from the Balkans

Sea Baths

Sea Baths

It is understood from Evliya Çelebi’s well-known Book of Travels that the history of sea baths goes as far back as the 17th century; their acceptance and popularization take place in mid-19th century as a result of Westernization, among other things.

Venuses Throughout History

Venuses Throughout History

José Sancho does not conceal the voluptuousness of his female torsos; he highlights it. These torsos are symmetrical from front, but on the other hand, from the side, the juxtaposition of concave and convex forms creates dynamism.

Medicinal Herbs in Byzantium

Medicinal Herbs in Byzantium

Knowledge of plants and the practice of healing are closely entwined. The toxic or hallucinogenic nature of some roots, and the dangers associated with picking them, conferred a mythical or magical character and power.