The short film Studio Visit with Professor Assi Meshullam is available to watch at the top of the page.
Professor Assi Meshullam is a renowned multidisciplinary artist whose captivating artwork challenges traditional definitions and explores the complexities of human identity, religion, worship, and myth. Through his thought-provoking sculptures, Meshullam delves into the intricate interplay between man and animal, victim and predator, offering profound insights into the duality of human nature. In this article, we delve deeper into the interpretation of Meshullam’s artistry and gain a better understanding of his creative philosophy and process.
To provide you with a more intimate understanding of his artistic vision, Watch the studio visit video at the top of the page. Stepping into the Meshulam’s studio, I was confronted by an array of hybrid sculptures that populate every corner, each infused with a captivating blend of human and animal attributes. Among the striking creations are Human Crows and goats, gods, and skulls, which lock gazes with the viewer, evoking a powerful desire to explore our primal instincts while acknowledging the restraints imposed by reason and rationality.
In 2005, Meshullam penned the book Ro’akhem using biblical language as a narrative tool. This captivating literary work narrates the tale of a hybrid being born from an illicit relationship between man and beast. Ro’akhem, endowed with the wisdom of humans and the primal impulses of animals, embarks on a path of self-discovery. Meshullam’s multidisciplinary artwork draws inspiration from Ro’akhem’s story, inviting viewers to ponder the implications of this amalgamation and contemplate the intricate connections between the sacred and profane.
Meshullam’s creative exploration doesn’t stop at his sculptures; he goes a step further to construct an entire religious order based on the ideas presented in Ro’akhem. Known as the Order of the Unclean, this fictional religious institution encompasses a comprehensive set of religious artifacts, symbols, and artworks. Central to this order is the Lexicon of the Principles, a sacred text that expounds upon the philosophical underpinnings of the hybrid existence. Through this imaginative creation, Meshullam invites us to delve deeper into the realms of belief systems and question the boundaries of religious thought.
Meshullam’s hybrid sculptures serve as metaphors for the intricate complexities of human existence. The fusion of human and animal features prompts us to reflect on our own dualities—the light and dark within each of us. These sculptures challenge the conventional notions of good and evil, inviting us to consider the delicate balance between our noble aspirations and our primal impulses. By blurring the boundaries between species, Meshullam compels us to acknowledge the animalistic undercurrents that shape our behavior and question the social constructs that define our identity.
Through his hybrid sculptures and the narrative of Ro’akhem, Meshullam challenges us to embrace the complexities of our nature and explore the blurred realms of our existence. By delving into the dark and enlightened aspects of being human, his artwork serves as a catalyst for self-reflection and a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
The featured video Studio Visit with Professor Assi Meshullam is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
