Saleh Barakat Gallery presents a new solo show by Hady Sy titled ‘It’s a Numbers Game’ running from 7 March until 13 April. The exhibition reflects the artist’s enduring fascination with the world of numbers, delving into a multitude of culturally significant digits. The show navigates the intersection between personal and symbolic realms, examining how form shapes meaning.
During the tragic Beirut port explosion, Sy glanced at the wall clock and noted the time as 6:09 PM. This intimate moment of realisation is translated into a sculptural expression, offering viewers an immersive space to explore the connection between symbols and lived experiences.
Exploring numbers in mundane transactions, the harsh realities of war, digital searches and medical practices, Sy contends that numbers have evolved to encompass and even overshadow individual identities. Sy’s goal is to humanise this numerical influence, highlighting how narratives rooted in numbers can reintroduce humanity into mechanised systems. From this perspective, the viewers may perceive themselves as the transitional space bridging symbols and life experiences, as envisioned by Sy through his focus on numbers.
Embracing the concept of absurdity, Sy’s monumental sculpture of the number googol epitomises this notion. Represented as the digit one followed by a hundred zeros, googol is regarded as one of the largest numbers and famously inspired the name of the search engine giant Google. Sy’s sculptural interpretation of googol serves as a poignant reminder of the mundane absurdity inherent in numerical order when contrasted with the complexities of human existence.
About Hady Sy
Hady Sy, born in Beirut in 1964, is a French-Senegalese artist renowned for his humanistic approach to social, existential, and geopolitical themes. Influenced by his multicultural upbringing in Beirut and his father’s diplomatic career, Sy’s artistic perspective is shaped by diverse perspectives. After studying Communication Arts in Beirut and furthering his education in France, he founded the International Festival of Fashion Photography in 1988. Relocating to New York in 1996, he established H Design Studio, collaborating with prestigious clients. Sy’s exhibitions like “In God We Trust” and “Not For Sale” advocate for tolerance. His “One Blood” project and “Sifr” explore human unity and the essence of currency, while “Wall of Hope” challenges societal divides. Following the Beirut port explosion, his sculptures symbolising the moment were showcased at Villa Audi.
Location: Saleh Barakat Gallery, Beirut
Date: March 7 – April 13, 2024