The short film Studio Visit with Shahar Marcus is available to watch at the top of the page.
Israeli artist Shahar Marcus is a master of the evocative, embodying his art through various mediums including video art, performance art, and etching. Central to his body of work is the notion of the self as the subject. He assumes the personas of distinct figures such as Golda Meir, an astronaut, a soldier, a dictator, and an art curator, thereby constructing a dialogue with these iconic roles.
One of Marcus’s video art pieces, The Curator, presents a critical dissection of the art world, stylized with the vivacity of a Hollywood trailer. This artwork does not just depict the rise of a curator within the echelons of the art world but also scrutinizes the intricate cultural codes, power dynamics, and persona-building that the position entails. Simultaneously, Marcus critically highlights the art world’s pretentiousness, the superficial glorification of certain figures, and the way wealthy patrons use art and artists to assert their social superiority.
Another captivating video art piece by Marcus, 1,2,3, Herring, reveals a striking interrogation of historical narratives. Situated at a recreated war site in Israel from the 1948 Independence War, Marcus, wearing a soldier’s uniform, engages with the historical site not through a re-enactment of battle but through the children’s game known as “green light, red light”. Through this playful yet meaningful interaction, Marcus reflects on the subjectivity and bias often inherent in our understanding of historical events. His work raises significant questions about how truths can be distorted to conform to mainstream narratives and invites viewers to critically reevaluate the stories that societies often take for granted.
In an accompanying video, Marcus candidly discusses his approach to contentious subjects like remembrance, cultural heritage, religion, and masculinity. Utilizing humor as a tool, he initiates new dialogues on subjects that are often considered off-limits. His art encourages viewers to question societal norms and acceptability, invoking the timeless allegory of the Emperor’s new clothes. Through his innovative and thought-provoking works, Marcus stimulates introspection and offers an alternative perspective on the narratives we consume and live by.
The featured video Studio Visit with Shahar Marcus 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.
