Similar to nature consisting of many dimensions, the artistic and literary oeuvre of Etel Adnan contains many different aspects. Through the exploration of this artist’s multidimensionality, the exhibition will highlight the diversity in her work. Providing an extensive overview, the display at Mathaf will include Adnan’s paintings, drawings, leporellos, tapestries, writings and films from the 1960s onwards.
Addressing a variety of concepts such as identity, war, and the dichotomy of home in her work, the artist takes inspiration from both her surroundings as well as her life experiences. While Adnan views painting as expressing ‘la joie de vivre’, writing is the artist’s meditation on the tragic side of the world. One important subject that is addressed in her writings is the Lebanese Civil War that lasted from 1975 to 1990.
Through the 11 dimensions, Etel Adnan in All Her Dimensions will provide a deeper understanding of Etel Adnan’s significant oeuvre, while also giving the audience the opportunity to explore the various developments in her work. In addition to this, connections will be shown between the different fields in which she is active until this day, rather than viewing them as separate ‘particles’.
A publication co-published by Mathaf will be released to coincide with the opening of the exhibition, and will contain many interviews with the artist by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, writings by the artist, and essays by several other contributors, providing a significant insight into the art, writings and thinking of Etel Adnan.