What the Hell is it?
(Knitted Sculpture)
Today I want to share
with you my profound
experience,
observing an art object of a young Israeli artist – Gil Yafman.
observing an art object of a young Israeli artist – Gil Yafman.
Gil Yafman, Tumtum, 2012, knitted installation.
Photo: Elad Sarig.
Photo: Elad Sarig.
In his somewhat enigmatic object, Gil Yafman
deals with serious
sociological and psychological topics, wrapped in a colorful,
eye-catching and humoristic cover.
sociological and psychological topics, wrapped in a colorful,
eye-catching and humoristic cover.
The Hebrew name of
the object - “Tumtum”, is taken from the ancient
Jewish theological codex, the Mishnah, and refers to a human being with
implicit sex organs, which makes his gender identification impossible.
Jewish theological codex, the Mishnah, and refers to a human being with
implicit sex organs, which makes his gender identification impossible.
(This is not the case of Hermaphrodite
or Androgynous, who has both
female and male organs)
female and male organs)
Gil is playing with words, because his work deals also
with another word,
linguistically related to “Tumtum”, which is “Timtum”, and the meaning is mental opaqueness, denial of any unknown or new ideas.
linguistically related to “Tumtum”, which is “Timtum”, and the meaning is mental opaqueness, denial of any unknown or new ideas.
Although the work deals with the social intolerance towards
gender variations,
(with which the Artist is personally involved), it refers also to general human
intolerance towards the exceptional.
(with which the Artist is personally involved), it refers also to general human
intolerance towards the exceptional.
Artistically speaking,
what the hell is this wonderful assemblage of sex organs?
what the hell is this wonderful assemblage of sex organs?
Gil Yafman, Tumtum, 2012, knitted installation, detail.
Photo: Elad Sarig.
Photo: Elad Sarig.
As we, the ordinary people, need definitions and labels, in
order to decode
the chaos around us, (and in spite of the Artist, who opposes them…)
we cannot avoid asking this question…
the chaos around us, (and in spite of the Artist, who opposes them…)
we cannot avoid asking this question…
Yafman, breaks through
several artistic conventions:
The medium of the object is knitting.
The material is wool
and the technique is basic one-needle
knitting.
Both are far from being traditional sculpture…
Not to mention knitting as a typical feminine handcraft…
Both are far from being traditional sculpture…
Not to mention knitting as a typical feminine handcraft…
Gil Yafman sees in the knitted wool the softness, the flexibility and
the warmth of a human skin. The monotonous and routine work of knitting
has a therapeutic and relaxing effect (I did experienced it, knitting in the past…)
the warmth of a human skin. The monotonous and routine work of knitting
has a therapeutic and relaxing effect (I did experienced it, knitting in the past…)
The outcome - a soft sculpture - is far beyond a conventional sculpture
and beyond the usual knitted product!
Even far beyond this “knitted “ bus...
and beyond the usual knitted product!
Even far beyond this “knitted “ bus...
Gil Yafman’s Tumtum is “high” Conceptual Art, implemented by
“low” materials and low images which are accompanied by vulgar and
embarrassing human biological sounds…
“low” materials and low images which are accompanied by vulgar and
embarrassing human biological sounds…
It is challenging and
astonishing and that is its attraction!
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Do you like Yafman's Tumtum?
Please write your opinion in a comment below.
Thank you,
Vita
Hi Vita
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post
And the knitting is amazing!
I really really liked it.(:
Hi
ReplyDeleteI like the bus. Would like to see more of them around.
You can hardly see Tumtum is knitted even after knowing it.
Knitted things usually gives you such a warm feeling but not here:)
Do you have Jewels in that style? Maybe knitted jewels?
Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteYou are right! The photos of the "Tumtum" do not show its texture clearly. I got them from the museum, where it is exhibited. The artist did not allow me to make a video, which would show its great impact and would also record its sounds...
As for my jewels, I do have bracelets made in Chainmaille technique, that is weaving with a metal wire.
For instance:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/118736316/chainmaille-gold-filld-bracelet-with-gf?