For his second solo show at the Galerie Chantal Crousel, Melik Ohanian presents a series of recent works (2005-2006) in modulated spaces with a succesion of ambiances that contain video projections, neon lights, sculptures, photographs and involve the visitor in a close relationship.
Based on time, intervals, continuity and discontinuity, his work defies concepts of territory and identity and gives some other geographical and political possibilities.
Gradient _ 2005
Prints (gradation from black to white) pasted on wall. Variable dimensions.
This generic action materialize a portion of space with a simple gradation (from black to white in this case)
WORD(S) _ 2006
Neon lights, transformer
A series of neon words containing implicit contradictions.
Concrete Tears _ 2005
Concrete, nylon. Variable dimensions according to the space.
These tears are passages that punctuate the space.
Hidden _ 2005
Screen 150 x 200 cm, videoprojection DVcam on DVD, coding, informatic computer and monitor, duration 60 mn
This frame shot of a sunset of a petroleum field in Floresville, Texas, incorporates, in its numeric coding, another image that is invisible in the exhibition. A computer gives us, in real time, the cryptographied partition of the numeric reality of the invisible image. Based on steganography (cryptography process revealed after September 11th, concerning the coded exchange on internet of Al Quaida group), The projection only shows us the visible part of this film. The invisible part is simultaneously showed in another place (De Appel , Amsterdam*)
Selected Recordings _
Lambda prints, mounted on aluminium, 124 x 200 cm
Part of an ongoing series through the time, Each Selected Recording is identified with a number. Each picture is a unique edition with unique size. No temporal nor geographical information are given.
Invisible Film _ 2005
Videoprojection HDcam on DVD, surround 5.1 sound, monitor with subtitles of the original film, duration 90 mn
35 mm projection of the copy of the original Punishment Park’s film reel directed by Peter Watkins. The projection takes place on location in El Mirage, California, where the film was shot in 1971. A political film wich questions and defies both documentary and fiction genres. Punishment Park was banned for over 25 years in United States.
Seven Minute Before, partition _ 2004
Color print on mat adhesive mounted on wood 150 x 210 cm. 3D Film, duration 4 mn
The print and the 3D film are in tje wake of the video installation Seven Minutes Before. This film is projected on seven screens. It was showed at the Lyon Biennial in 2004 and is projected in Amsterdam until november 5th (Imagine IC). This partition evoques the movement trajectory (duration, episodes…) of the seven video cameras that have simultaneously filmed in one shot during 21 mn the script played in the Vercors Valley, France. It is transposed in two way of representation - 2D / 3D - and attempt to create a representation of a time-space.
Half Mast White Flag _ 2005
Half Mast - White flag of Texas.
Producted in november 2005 at the time of a residence at ArtPace, San Antonio, this half mast white flag of Texas is hang up outside the gallery. For the first presentation in Texas the mast started inside the musem and went through the roof up to the terrace.
