ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Slavs and Tatars Translate the Eagle Through Simurgh at The Third Line

exhibition · 2026-05-01

The Third Line is hosting 'Simurgh Self-Help', a solo exhibition by the artist collective Slavs and Tatars, starting from an undisclosed date. This exhibition reimagines Marcel Broodthaers' 'Musée d’Art Moderne – Département des Aigles' (1968-1972) by substituting the eagle with the Simurgh, a legendary bird from Turkic and Persian folklore. In Gallery One, the mythology of the Simurgh—depicted as a creature with a peacock's body and a dog's head, embodying both genders and having witnessed the world's destruction thrice—is examined in relation to the eagle to challenge nationalism. Gallery Two features melons as representations of Central Asian wisdom and worth, illustrated through glass lamps or mirrors. This marks Slavs and Tatars' first significant new work since 'Pickle Politics' (2016-2023). Following its premiere at The Third Line, the exhibition will move to Kunsthalle Baden-Baden in Germany and Frac Pays de la Loire in France in 2025.

Key facts

  • Slavs and Tatars' third solo exhibition at The Third Line is titled 'Simurgh Self-Help'.
  • The exhibition is inspired by Marcel Broodthaers' 'Musée d’Art Moderne – Département des Aigles' (1968-1972).
  • The Simurgh is a mythical bird from Turkic and Persianate folklore, Sufi traditions, and Caucasus/Central Asian literature.
  • The Simurgh is depicted with a peacock body and dog head, is both male and female, and witnessed the world's destruction three times.
  • Gallery One juxtaposes the eagle and Simurgh to critique national identity and nationalism.
  • Gallery Two uses melons as Central Asian repositories of value, knowledge, and world-building.
  • This is Slavs and Tatars' first significant new body of work since 'Pickle Politics' (2016-2023).
  • Works from the exhibition will travel to Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, Germany, and Frac Pays de la Loire, France, in 2025.

Entities

Artists

  • Slavs and Tatars
  • Marcel Broodthaers

Institutions

  • The Third Line
  • Kunsthalle Baden-Baden
  • Frac Pays de la Loire

Locations

  • Germany
  • France

Sources