Neïl Beloufa – whose practice spans film, sculpture, and installations – has spent the better part of the last decade thinking about what is at stake when one apprehends reality and its representation. His practice refuses to adopt any position of authority; it is both sharp in observation and unobtrusive in what it conveys. The artist removes himself constantly from his propositions as if to say to the viewer, ‘This is your problem now – you deal with it’.
For example, in order to watch the videos of Global Agreement (2018-2019), on view at the Arsenale, the viewer has to sit on structures reminiscent of gym equipment, that are uncomfortable and restrict their movements; simultaneously, the configuration of the space means that each viewer can observe everyone else observing others: you may be watching the video, but someone is always watching you.
Neïl Beloufa
1985, France