Serkan Yüksel’s seventh solo exhibition, titled “Progress-Regress,” at x-ist draws its name from Julio Cortazar’s short story “Progress-Regress,” found in his book “Instructions.” Cortazar’s narrative portrays the plight of a Hungarian scientist as he combats flies by inventing a flytrap. However, the trap disrupts the flies’ once-enjoyable existence, unraveling the delicate balance between humanity and these insects. Inspired by Cortazar’s tale, Yüksel delves into the intricate relationship between humans and nature, probing their reciprocal impacts.
Furthermore, Yüksel finds inspiration in David Cronenberg’s 1986 film “The Fly,” where a scientist’s teleportation experiment gone awry results in his transformation into a fly. Examining the societal critique stemming from this transformation, the artist scrutinizes society’s notion of progress and technology’s repercussions on the natural world.
Employing metaphorical narratives, irony, and caricatured scenarios, Yüksel offers a critique of contemporary societal, political, and socio-political dynamics. The exhibition prompts viewers to ponder the notions of progress and regression within society, exploring the interconnectedness of flies, humans, and nature. In a world marked by burgeoning populations, it encourages contemplation on attitudes toward nature and their economic ramifications.
The exhibition continues until March 30.
