VENUS
2017 – 2018

Following the paths of “Venus”, the goddess and embodiment of womanhood – and her role in the cycle of life.

“mortis et vita”

referencing: the austrian Venus of Willendorf (c. 27.500 B.C.), the two-headed Venus from the Grimaldi Collection (c. 20.000 B.C.), the greek marble sculpture Venus of Milo (End of 2nd Century B.C.) and the foam-born Venus in Sandro Boticelli’s painting The Birth of Venus (c.1485/86).

each 83 x 125 cm, fine art pigment prints on aluminum composite plates, 3 copies +AP

click on images to enlarge

deformation and transformation I

part of project VENUS

deformation and transformation is about the elemental force of emotions. The three performers express a certain set of emotions, using red clay (250 kilos in total). The use of red clay refers to ancient Venus figurines, as an archetypal picture of women.
The woman on the right represents anger and aggression but also passion and the will to take action. The woman in the center represents sorrow and grief but also pensiveness and cleansing attributes are assigned to her. The woman on the left represents joy, excitement and euphoria and a naive desire to climax.
The three women treat the clay as an extension of the self. As if their emotions have become tangible. They build it up and simultaneously destroy it in an eternal loop.

deformation and transformation I, 2018/19
3 Channel Installation, HD Video, color, sound, 3.35 Min. (Loop)
Sound: Mieko Suzuki
Cast (in order of appearance): Andrea Schmon, Natalia Fonta, Cornelia Scheuer
Camera/Light: C’QUENCE – Alexandra Braschel, Philipp Kaindl, Stephanie Meisl /Assistants: Phillip Grimm, Lisa Hasenbichler
Concept/Director/Editing: Shirin Kavin

Stills:

Exhibited:
2024 You Say Tomato I Say Tomato, Solo Exhibition, Heuboden, Zürich (CH)/ photos/info
Catalogue:
2020 Selected Works, Shirin Kavin, 64pages, A4, English / preview PDF

Also take a look at the photoseries: Virginity Purity Innocence Youth