Ikon Ikon Francis Alys: Knots And Dust

This publication accompanied the 20 June - 9 September 2018 Exhibition at Ikon Gallery: Francis Alys: Knots and Dust

Ikon presents a solo exhibition by Belgian-born, Mexico-based artist Francis Alÿs, curated by Marie Muracciole.

Organised by the Beirut Art Center, the exhibition is an outcome of Alÿs’ long-term interest in current affairs in the Middle East and his frequent travelling to that part of the world, especially Iraq and Afghanistan. Featuring new work in a mix of animation, drawing, film, painting and photography, the exhibition is a reflection on the notion of turbulence, from simple instability to chaos, from a meteorological phenomenon to bigger geopolitical pictures, from a simple knot in the hair to an ascending spiral. Knots represent links and bonds, as well as resistance and binding.