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Jan Tichy // Installation IV (Towers)
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 Jan Tichy Born in Czechoslovakia, 1974; lives in Tel Aviv and Chicago. Recent solo exhibitions: Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art (2007), Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (2008); recent group exhibitions: Magasin 3, Stockholm (2007), The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (2008), Jewish Museum of Frankfurt (2008), Herzliya Biennial (2007).

Two objects (measuring 100 and 75 cm.) constructed out of white paper, and
reminiscent of water towers, are situated in a darkened space. A rectangular frame
projected onto the floor is the only source of light in the entire space. Given their
allusions to development, strategic positions and power, as well as to decline and
desolation, water towers have
fascinated numerous artists over the
years. The destabilizing play of light
and shade liberates the towers from
the representation of local themes,
transforming them into amorphous
symbols of progress and alienation;
abandoned yet not dilapidated, they
are at once beautiful and somewhat
threatening.
The installation begins in the dark. A white beam of light gradually envelopes the
towers, until the entire scene is illuminated. An eclipse of sorts subsequently takes
place, and the silhouette of a coyote is seen wandering along the borders of the desolate
image. A black circle appears at its center and continues to grow and fill the space, until
it is submerged once again in darkness.