Kerim Zapsu : 7,680,000,000
Ambidexter Gallery proudly presents Kerim Zapsu’s first solo show in Istanbul. In 7,680,000,000 Zapsu created a series by breaking up both the symbols within the flag, and the symbolism of flags. The process lead to two different ways of interpreting the symbols and colors, initially Zapsu created abstract work, which is more painterly (not to mix with Wölfllin’s notion of Malerisch) as the colors, and forms dictated the creation of the work. The process of stitching the cloths, made for a very rigid style of creating abstract work as the work was created in a linear fashion, similar to that of a printer. These works challenge the idea of rigid systems of flags and countries versus the abstract work/world they find themselves in. The second aspect of playing with these symbols is to generate alternative meaning or moods using the forms and colours in the work. These works play with both the apparent meanings of the symbols and the connotations of the countries to create a new result stemming from the original content of the flag. Thus creating a whole new artistic perspective in the field of vexillology.
More than a title, 7,680,000,000 questions us as individuals about our own subjective perspective, making us curious about what lies beyond the fabric pieces of the flags, beyond the surface, beyond the sewn fissures that so often are forgotten.