On Sense and Glyphs

2020-21
Aluminum rulers, stand, drawing in salt on the floor
Dimensions variable 

Courtesy the artist
Presentation with support from OCA (Office for Contemporary Art Norway)

The ongoing series On Sense and Glyphs grew out of artist Damla Kilickiran’s insight that the square-edged ruler is not a neutral tool, but instead represents a world view based on fixed value relationships. The rulers we see here were made by the artist herself based on motifs found in her drawings and executed in a kind of psychographic state through which the body’s inner imagery is given expression. Creating tools that are based on one’s own body rather than an external logic opens the door to other ways of seeing and navigating. In Kilickiran’s drawings, lines that would have remained parallel in Euclidean geometry are allowed to meet. Salt is considered by many cultures to have cleansing and protective qualities. It is also used for paranormal purposes, such as keeping out spirits or indeed creating space for them. The drawings on the floor will eventually dissolve, but they will be recreated during the course of the exhibition, like incantations or magical formulas.  

The work is installed beginning of august.

Damla Kilickiran (b. 1991, Sweden) reflects in her practice on topics related to alternate states of being as a method for image production and knowledge. Kilickiran recently graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo and has recently exhibited at Destiny’s Atelier, Oslo (2020); Lofoten International Art Festival (2019); and Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter, Svolvær (2018). Damla Kilickiran is based in Oslo. 

Röda Sten Konsthall