Bizhan Bassiri, living and working in Italy since 1974 presents a section of his work in Borusan Art Gallery, 15th september to 9th october within the program of individual exhibitions. The work is displayed in a particular installation conceived for the gallery. A catalogue published by SACE, Italy entitled "Sorgente" related to his exhibition realized in Tophane-i Amire in April 2004 will be launched during this exhibition.

Bassiri's first exhibition in Tophane-i Amire, Istanbul entitled "Sources" continued his desire to make a commencement towards the East; it was an attempt to change the course of action, he made 50 years ago from East to the West. He fulfilled this task with an intricate modus operandi, exploiting different layers of schemes, ideas and concepts and bringing into play the tools of global economic system. The basis of his work was his spiritual association and obsession with the volcanic scenery which he discovered in the Vesuvius volcano. For him the power and energy concealed in the magma of the volcano is a metaphor for the creation and the source of life as well as for art which is for him "a meteorite from outer space that only appears on earth, but is not of the earth". Out of this magmatic entity he produced a particularity consisting of individual heads (portraits) resting on iron herme which implies an act of distribution of power and energy and a series of books of handwritten poems.

His exhibition in Borusan Art Gallery is an intimate extention of this work representing a series of papier mache paintings referring to the volcano stones and portraits and two pieces of work,two unreflecting mirrors and his self-portrait that belong to his previous installations since 2000. Bassiri transformed the gallery into a particular space by painting some walls black and red to highlight and support his wall pieces. In this sense we can recognise that he has juxtaposed minimalist approach with expressive boldness.

Bassiri employs archetypal presentations with concepts of wisdom, sensitivity and insight as well as with their implications to the malice that stays in our collective unconscious. He let us reflect on questions like where I am coming from, where am I going to and what is my role in this drama. The viewer encounters these questions when he sees his/her own reflection on his self-portrait.

Beral Madra