Axis of Silence

Sislej Xhafa (Peja, Yougoslavie, 1970)
Collection: Fonds d'art contemporain de la Ville et du Canton de Genève (FMAC and FCAC), Neon Parallax project

The one and only figurative work in the whole Neon Parallax project, Axis of Silence by the Kosovar artist Sislej Xhafa sketches two enormous eyes that float above the buildings of the Plaine de Plainpalais. Their simplified, finely drawn contours are visible during the day and at night, when their neon tubes (black for the pupils and white for the silhouettes) diffuse their halo of light. Immediately and universally comprehensible, the eyes emanate an intriguing presence in the urban sky. Their wide-eyed look asks a dreamlike question that hangs over the bustle of the city. Standing out among the other illuminated signs that surround it, Axis of Silence encourages us to observe and contemplate our environment. Sislej Xhafa takes inspiration from our contemporary world to devise subversive actions tinged with humor. He uses conceptual strategies to infiltrate the spheres of politics, economics, migration and consumerism. The resulting works challenge our cultural stereotypes and draw our attention to the invisible systems that structure our existence.
Article commissioned by P3Art
Notice: Séverine Fromaigeat, translation: Matthew Cunningham