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German artist fights for intimacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c88VMaJ_rkQ&feature=youtu.be

German artist SaySay.Love returns to South Africa to show his latest body of work which highlights issues of loneliness and intimacy.

Running from the 25th of January to the 2nd of February at GUS in Stellenbosch, this photography exhibition shows what the artist refers to as “dehumanised, controllable humans that are easy to manipulate”.

The exhibition is a form of visual activism as SaySay.Love hopes to bring back romance. Having grown up in a world where courtship happened face-to-face, this is SaySay’s attempt to remind us what it means to have real human connections. Dating sites and apps allow users to create personas for themselves, a constructed image based on societal ideals of perfection. We separate from our true selves, and in doing so separate from each other leading to loneliness and a loss of Intimacy.

“We have lost touch with romance and nature. We are separated from this in our digital world” – SaySay.Love takes a critical stance against the lives we have constructed for ourselves via internet portals.

SaySay.Love, Intimate Loneliness, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.
Crowd, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.

Photographer is joined by Sexologist in the battle against loneliness.

An emerging photographer and visual artist, SaySay offers an immersive experience for the public at the events which will run alongside his exhibition.

The artist will be joined by Dr Eve, renowned clinical psychologist and sexologist, on the 30 January 2019. Dr Eve will be debuting her live performance in an installation piece inspired by the work of Marina Abramović. Throughout her performance she will be offering ideas on how to combat issues of loneliness. The audience are invited to engage in intimate ways with her and each other through this experiential piece.

Courtesy of the artist.
Crowd, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.

“Sex with things” – an upcoming event to combat loneliness.

SaySay.Love offers the public another opportunity to get intimately connected at a second event taking place on the 1st of February 2019. Currently trending in Berlin is the concept of Close Dance Party, or Engtanz. These parties offer a somewhat 1950s approach to romance, where slow dancing with a partner allowed party-goers to get to know each other.

“Loneliness is a sad thing. We like to be part of groups, to be part of something, to have someone to be with” – SaySay.love

These events will take place at the GUS Gallery which was previously used as a church. The space offers a sacred space for visitors to explore these very private issues of the heart and body. The gallery, part of the University of Stellenbosch, is hub for multi-disciplinary events, exhibitions and workshops.

‘Intimate Lonliness: Sex with things’ will take place 25 January to 2 February 2019 at GUS Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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