2021, Love Over Entropy, Anna Laudel Gallery

Artists: Elcin Acun, Lal Batman, Busra Cegil, Bahadir Colak, Firat Engin, Zeren Goktan, Kadriye Inal, Dincer Isgel, Firat Itmec, Volkan Kiziltunc, Sinan Logie, Mert Ozgen, Serra Duran Parali, Nejat Sati, Ahmet Sel, Hande Sekerci, Furkan Temir, Halil Vurucuoglu, and Aybala Yalcin

Everything that exists in the universe is destined to vanish one day. To confirm the accuracy of entropy, one of the oldest laws of thermodynamics, we need only observe the dynamics of the century we live in, characterized by the rapid transformation and abandonment of inherited concepts and values of the past.

Our engagement with the forces shaping our new order, which has already entered our lives in various forms, has made us individuals leading "smart lives." The climate of our relationships is changing alongside smart communication tools, homes, and even cities, creating a model where we place the mind at the center. Unlike the past, and with the transformation of our emotional world, there is now a new player: the mind. It stands apart from physical beauty and certain behavioral criteria, which were previously the main factors in the chemical harmony of the relationship between men and women.

A gift of the 21st century, Sapiosexuality is the concept of being attracted to intelligence and the mind. It represents the lust of the mind and the sexual attraction to genius. Today, our emotions and relationships, often brought to screens, have become visual objects, like many other activities. Sapiosexuals, who challenge widely accepted but misleading ideals such as the ideal man, woman, partner, or sexuality seen in mass marketing or social media, experience satisfaction and pleasure based on the intellectual level and intelligence of the person. In the past, those who appreciated the mind beyond physical appearance were a minority; today, influenced by various factors, this group is strong enough to be considered a majority rather than a small circle.

We explored sapiosexuality through the works of each artist featured in "Love Over Entropy." The potential and pleasure derived from the “Reason” factor are at the core of these works, which respond to several questions. Despite the prevailing conditions of an ecosystem where consumer culture and standardized beauty are dominant, sapiosexuality is examined closely. The interdisciplinary approach and the expressive deployment of different techniques and materials challenge both reason and emotions.

While developing the exhibition's theme, I was undoubtedly influenced by the shift in the determinants of my own relationships, from the past to the present. The exhibition invites the audience to reflect on the attraction of the mind, a theme that emerges through their experience of selecting the artworks. It encourages a deeper inquiry into how the mind's influence has become so captivating as a result of new social designs.

Text by Ayca Okay