Simon Fujiwara's Studio Pietà (King Kong Komplex) explores personal history and Middle Eastern identity

The artwork Studio Pietà (King Kong Komplex) by Simon Fujiwara features a photograph of his mother alongside her Lebanese boyfriend on a beach in Beirut during the 1960s. In his Berlin studio, Fujiwara recreated this scene with actors, resulting in a 20-minute video displayed against a white backdrop. Within the video, the Arab actor addresses the stereotype of being typecast as a terrorist, while Fujiwara elaborates on the King Kong complex, which associates Middle Eastern men with themes of sexual virility and violence. He reflects on the possibility of his mother marrying her boyfriend and wonders if he would have been born in Beirut. This piece was commissioned for the Sharjah Biennial in the UAE, known for showcasing Arab themes. Additionally, a dimly lit side room features three large prints: one of the actress in a bathing suit, another of her with the man on a swing-like structure, and a third of the actor smiling in the swing. Fujiwara, recognized for his performative art rooted in personal narratives, has previously tackled subjects like his parents' hotel and his initial sexual experiences in works such as Welcome to the Hotel Munber (2008–10) and The Mirror Stage (2009–12). The review was published in October 2013.