Sarkis Creates Neon Rainbow Installation for Turkey Pavilion at 2015 Venice Biennale

Sarkis represents Turkey at the 2015 Venice Biennale with an installation in the Arsenale. His Pavilion of Turkey exhibition features two large neon rainbows arranged to suggest a cosmic explosion, accompanied by mirrors that reflect the colorful light. Seven children will leave fingerprint galaxies in rainbow hues on these reflective surfaces. A specially composed musical piece by Jacopo Baboni Schilingi plays continuously throughout the space. Thirty-six stained glass works depicting images from various cultures will also be displayed. The artist notes his installation exists before the May 7 opening and persists beyond the Biennale's conclusion. Sarkis simultaneously participates in the Armenian Pavilion as one of sixteen artists of Armenian heritage. He cites Joseph Beuys and Hans Haacke's German Pavilion installations as influential past Biennale experiences. The artist regularly visits Venice's Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni to view Carpaccio's artworks. ArtReview published this questionnaire as part of a series featuring artists and curators from national pavilions.