Can Yağız: Not today either

Opening Reception Sunday, June 23rd, 3-5pm

Not today either features Can Yağız’s document-sized collages and monotypes, capturing moments of self-reflection and the fragility of existence. Degradation of both materials and imagery is integral to how Can contemplates themes of belonging, selfhood, and decay. The self, seemingly an innate and enduring thread, can fragment and dissipate as memories become contested or one’s own actions seem beyond their comprehension. At loose ends, one seeks tangible comforts. Objects imbued with memory, like a soaked tissue or a scuffed envelope, offer a sense of continuity amidst the loss, rendering much-needed progression in material.

“Similar to the first cold day of the year, when you grab a coat you haven't worn in a while and put your hands in the pockets, and find a piece of a receipt, a used tissue, a caramel wrapper, and a band-aid, also used. And not recognize who these fragments belong to.
I thought self as something innate, an enduring thread for the most part. Though it is more fragile, self can fragment, dissipate. It is difficult when memory becomes contested or one cannot reason with their doing.
At loose ends, such fragments became tangible comforts. Material had memory, in how a tissue soaked and how an envelope scuffed. It rendered progression.
I have been working these materials into collages. The degradation of these elements is integral to how I contemplate themes of belonging, selfhood, and decay. In addition, I approach this degradation through printing monotypes in succession without cleaning the plate, so the image degrades with each subsequent print.” - Yağız

Can Yağız was born in İstanbul, Türkiye, and currently lives and works in New Haven. Can received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art, and Master of Fine Arts from Yale School of Art.