Shark. Project: Crusade III
Luka Lasareishvili
canvas, cement, sand, carton, plexiglas
1993
370x200x140 cm.
A piece of black material –much like a large tent- defines the sides of the exhibition space, thus changing the given shape into a long narrow space which widens out towards the top wall. The light inside is subdued. From the entrance a red carpet leads to a large Saint George icon (250 x 200 cm/98”x 79”); photocopy paper on canvas) on a white wall. In front of the icon two large jaws, reminiscent of those of a shark (100 x100 x 28 cm/ 39”x 39”x 11”); cement, gypsum, glass) are located. Upon closer scrutiny one notices that each tooth resembles a praying monk. The installation continues into another space behind the icon on the other side of the white wall that changes to a red colour. In this space, some 20 cm/8” above the floor, lays a massive shark-like sculpture (370 x 200 x 140 cm; 146”x 79”x 55”) canvas, cement, sand, carton, plexiglas). A lamp is lighting the sculpture and casts an enormous shadow on the wall behind it. The shadow resembles a star fighter airplane. At the same time one hears throughout the whole installation space the constant background sound of helicopters, occasionally supported by the throughout space moving sound of a star fighter plane flying over.
For more information about the project, plese visit artist's webpage.