Navid Nuur's Sandman's Sand Exhibition Explores Vision Through Conceptual Works

Navid Nuur's exhibition Sandman's Sand at Galerie Martin van Zomeren in Amsterdam from 15 April to 20 May 2017 presents his ongoing series The Eye-Codex of the Monochrome (1984–). The Dutch-Iranian artist investigates visual perception when eyes are closed, seeing patterns of irregular dots rather than darkness. Works include Aladin (2010–17), a canvas smoked inside a shipping crate using emergency flares, creating a 'blind' painting. City Silence ii (2011–17) uses graphic design's 'blue back' technique, printed on poster paper and pasted onto a chain-link fence. The Eye-Codex of the Monochrome (STUDY) (2011–17) unfolds envelopes to reveal interior dot patterns resembling Nuur's closed-eye visions. The Passage (2017) is a cave photograph printed on a gold foil emergency blanket, while Another window in my studio (2008–2017) shows the artist stepping into a painted black circle. A materials cabinet displays unconventional substances like bitumen, gesso, and antirust varnish instead of traditional paints. Study 4–87 (The Eye-Codex of the Monochrome) (1984–2017) uses swimming-pool paint to suggest water, and Study 93 (The Eye-Codex of the Monochrome) (1984–2017) employs reflector foil illuminated to resemble a starry sky. Nuur combines painting alchemy with perception phenomenology, creating images by removing sight.