Sahak N.
2021
C-Print
100 x 60 cm
Photo by Mario Wezel

non-crucifix
2021
Installation view
150 x 40 cm
Photo by Mario Wezel

Null Island commissioned the artist and former refugee Sahak N. [and the artist and priest K. Müller] to remove pews, candlesticks, and religious paraphernalia from a small church in Northern Germany and line up all objects and artefacts in front of the church. Sahak N. was tasked with carefully deconstructing a medieval crucifix. Null Island exhibited the non-crucifix in the empty church. Various German newspapers picked up on the performance piece and spun it into a story about religion, terror and art. NullIsland is quoted in Der Zeit saying: “Destruction is not the end of culture and religion but one of the conditions of its possibility. Destruction is a cultural activity and also, at times, religious activity. The Destruction of objects produces new meanings and practices, and damaged things may become more precious.” [A small church in Northern Germany, 2021]