Visible and Disappearance, Diptych. From The While You Are Sleeping Series, 2009

Arslan Sükan  

'While you are sleeping' (Seascape Series) In his seascape works, Sukan manipulates his imagery connected to the constant tensions between the mental grasp of the specificity and representation. He starts taking his pictures above sea level contextualizes the scenes and brings out a new kind of perception. At first glance, the viewer may not be suspicious of the situation but on close inspection, questions arise; if this is a nighttime shot, how come the ships in motion look so sharp as if they are from a frozen movie still? By reconstructing these environments from one portion to another, Sukan raises some of the most elemental questions about how we perceive the world we live in. The other side of duality comes out when we look at the full moon in the sky. The moon is in transit and clearly gives a hint that the world or in this case another planet turns on its own axis. He creates an image that represents the duality of time, and space in an undefined space.

Arslan Sukan is a multi-faceted artist who is trained in interior architecture and photography and has tackled with ideas that question the limitations of human perception, the borders between the physical and the virtual as well as the visible and the invisible. Sukan's work positions the artist as a challenging narrator who re-creates an idea or a form that confirm viewer expectations at first glance while undercutting them in practice.

Overall size: 105 H x 266 W cm. Individual size: 105 H x 133 W cm. Edition of 3 

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This artwork is a striking diptych that masterfully employs monochrome to create a sense of vastness and mystery. The composition is divided into two panels, each capturing a serene seascape with a captivating use of light and shadow. Boats traverse the calm waters, their elongated shadows stretching behind them, suggesting movement and passage of time. The stark contrast between the dark sky and the illuminated sea creates a compelling visual tension. Notably, the differing positions of the boats in each panel create a narrative of progression and continuity. The minimalistic approach, with its absence of color, emphasizes form and line, drawing the viewer's eye to the subtle interplay between elements. This artwork's unique blend of simplicity and depth invites contemplation, evoking feelings of solitude and exploration.