“Behind the Wall There Are Other Walls” is the latest exhibition opened at the Gallery of Contemporary Art Tirana (GOCAT), by artist Naim Spahiu. This thought-provoking exhibition immediately captures the viewer’s attention with it’s title, evoking curiosity and intrigue. The exhibition will remain open to the public from November 7th to November 30th, 2024.
The phrase “Behind the Wall There Are Other Walls” offers both a metaphorical and literal meaning, perfectly suited to the venue of the exhibition, the iconic Pyramid of Tirana. It not only suggests the existence of hidden or parallel realities just beyond our view but also highlights the layered complexity of space itself. Art is not confined to what we see on the surface; it invites us to explore what lies beyond, beneath, and within these layers.
In this exhibition, Spahiu interweaves the medium of painting with installation art. The artworks transcend the boundaries of the canvas, inviting viewers to physically engage, by walking around or through them. The gallery becomes an extension of the art, where the viewer is part of the artwork’s ongoing narrative, blurring the lines between the observer and the observed.
The exhibition’s title can be interpreted both metaphorically and literally, drawing on the concept of walls, both in the traditional sense and as architectural elements within the Pyramid of Tirana. The layered meaning of “walls” emphasizes the experience of encountering art that is not confined to a flat surface but exists within an interconnected world, much like the spaces of the Pyramid itself. The venue, with its unique structure, enhances the sense of discovery, mirroring the artwork’s exploration of hidden spaces and alternate realities.
Naim Spahiu was born on March 18, 1978, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. In 1998, he graduated from the Academy of Arts in Pristina, Kosovo, and in 2002, he earned his degree as a painter.
In 2005, he completed his postgraduate studies with Professor Esat Valla in Pristina. Until his appointment as Deputy Director of the National Gallery of Kosovo in 2021, Spahiu served as the coordinator for exhibitions at the same institution.
