Visceral Words II

vinyl letters, feather, wood and glass  

Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 2 cm

Visceral Words II like Zaker's other text-based works is primarily about the ability of the written and spoken word to create or overcome barriers of communication. Visceral Words goes beyond the limitations of the alphabet by replacing letters with feathers to speak of flying and freedom. But those messages are undermined by the static and clinical manner in which they are framed and exhibited. Zaker have chosen five Persian compound nouns – flying, jump, bird, wing, and butterfly – all of them begin with the word (and syllable) ‘feather’ (par). By replacing that word with an actual feather, Zaker create an alternative written language and reading process, which highlight the limitations of the written word. This is further underlined by the contrast between the signifier (both the letters and the captured and framed feather) and the signified.