The Pendant (2020)
Film, 22 min.
Breaking of a mirror initiates five different acts in five different places, exposing shades of magic, the brutal logic of political systems, and systemic violence.
The harm social systems are designed to inflict, the enforced disappearances in Türkiye during the 1990s, the border politics of the EU, manipulative storytelling and struggle for domination are evoked, as the round Pendant with its gemstones scattered across the acts attempts to become whole again.
The Pendant (2020) Trailer
The Pendant is a video installation comprising the film itself, the round pendant, the glass hammer, and the original The Pendant Tarot Deck. It was first exhibited at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie Graduation Show in 2020, and later that year at Galerie Ron Mandos.
The project received the GRA Award for Autonomous Arts 2020, selected by the jury Charl Landvreugd and Femke Herregraven.
"The level of sophistication in Mayis Rukel’s film installation is impressive. The overall quality of this bachelor student’s work would befit a master’s level. The jury feels it is a sign of professionalism that Mayis has surrounded himself with the right people (set designers, actors) to produce his film. The balance of his aesthetic dreamlike scenes with political messages, regarding EU border politics for instance, comes across with a certain absurdity that the jury appreciated. The wall opposite the screen shows his own tarot deck, which is inclusive, non-binary and non-hierarchical. It is part of the film, but it is also a new world that can lead to exciting new projects that the jury looks forward to."
Images below are by Michèle Margot & Franzi Mueller-Schmidt.
Press on The Pendant
De Volkskrant - Sarah van Binsbergen review "Vreemd nieuws: overheid moedigt moord op vrouwen aan"
Metropolis M - Nele Brökelmann "‘Where are those stars to shoot for?’ - in conversation with artist and writer Mayis Rukel"
Het Parool - Edo Dijksterhuis "Rietveld-alumni tijdens corona: ‘Ik weet niet wat normaal is’"
Filmkrant - "Mayis Rukel over The Pendant: 'Afhankelijk van hun afkomst ziet iedereen er iets anders in'"
(A)WAKE in conversation with Mayis Rukel - In Pursuit of a Sense of Belonging
