Lacunae
30 May - 30 June 2024
Geraldo Dos Santos, Emre Özakat
Josilda da Conceição is delighted to present a duo-solo exhibition Lacunae, showcasing the installations and paintings by artists Geraldo Dos Santos and Emre Özakat. Departing from the concept of hauntology, the exhibition brings together the works of both artists to explore transformative dimensions within parafiction beliefs.
Both artists are delving into various realms within superstition and the profound depths of unconscious connections. Geraldo Dos Santos lingers in the manifestation of South American belief systems, where culture plays a significant role and traditions are deeply ingrained. The depths of lacunae in his storytelling depict mystery, showcasing anatomical structures that connect Esterism, Asterisme, Santeria, Espiritismo, and Candomblé.
Emre Özakat investigates the hauntological nature of the circulation of digital images. Images which degrade through redistribution and digital compression as they circulate, lose any ownership and become an anonymous property of the masses. These images have an ephemeral nature, whether familiar images or images from the uncanny corners of the internet. The temporality is momentarily suspended through painting, fixed in its state of compression and contortion.
Geraldo Dos Santos (NL-BR / 1993)
Geraldo Dos Santos is an artist who delves into the intricate realms of memory, emotions, culture, and identity. His focus lies in understanding the subconscious triggers of melancholic emotions and how our experiences shape our perception of the world. Employing a narrative approach and utilizing diverse mediums, Dos Santos creates a multidimensional experience, urging viewers to contemplate their personal histories. His artworks capture the amalgamation of surrounding elements, depicting personal and shared trajectories, particularly exploring the nuances of unusual relationships. Dos Santos seeks to comprehend the consciousness within anecdotes and the role tradition plays in shaping our understanding of memory-heritage. Rooted in South American Esotericism, Dos Santos further explores spiritual make-belief intricately tied to indigenous traditions, syncretism, and mysticism. These beliefs encompass a profound reverence for superstitions, symbolically woven into rituals and extending seamlessly into Dos Santos’ installations. Superstitions within indigenous traditions serve as conduits, bridging material and spiritual realms. This spiritual significance integrates seamlessly into syncretic religions, challenging learned traditions evident in Dos Santos' ceramics and paintings. South American Esotericism places a strong emphasis on intention in Dos Santos' research, considering it a form of hauntology connecting individuals with the spiritual unconscious realm. This perspective adds depth and layers to his exploration of memory, culture, and identity.
Emre Özakat (TR / 1997)
Emre Özakat, through his mixed-media practice, takes inspiration from the daily inundation of online images, exploring the ephemeral nature of these images, to the way in which they seem to multiply and sensationalise, while desensitising at the same time. He investigates the anxieties of living in a world excessively politicized and media hyper-saturated with increasingly omnipresent surveillance, often as well questioning the credibility of the digital image through various methods of obscuring or manipulating them. He finds fascination by the uncanny corners of the internet, approaching his practice through a lens of the existential implications of present day media.