Lot 15: ANSEN ATILLA

ANSEN ATILLA B. 1978 GUNS OF WAR (FROM THE CIVILIZATIONS SERIES) signed, titled and dated 2011 on a label affixed to the backing board C-print mounted on Dibond with Plexiglas face, in three parts Overall: 170 by 350cm.; 66 3/4 by 137 3/4 in. Executed in 2011, this work is unique.

Guns of War by Ansen Atilla is the second work from the artist's monumental Civilizations Series. Exploring the influences of ancient civilizations on the history of mankind in regards to power, dominance and supremacy, Ansen began this series with the depiction of democracy's evolution in Ancient Rome. The second part of this extraordinary series, Guns of War illustrates the arrival of the old European powers to the lands of the natives.

In late 15υth century, with growing competition between Western Empires to take over trade routes and find colonies, a number of explorers embarked on travels in search of discovering new lands which could be exploited for the needs of their rulers; hence, setting in motion a period of bloodshed, desecration and slavery. The first encounter between the natives of the New World and the Old had been illustrated throughout history, from the meeting of the Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés with the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II to Cristopher Columbus' confrontation with the indigenous tribes of the Americas leading to the coincidental discovery of a new continent.

Ansen's Guns of War captures that unique moment of first interaction between two cultures, completely unaware of each other's existence until only a short while ago. It reminds us of the colossal oil on canvas triptychs painted by European artists to commemorate the first steps of the explorer or conquistador on a land which would prove to be key in the advancement and expansion of a European civilization. This step would utterly transform the existing status quo around the world, starting a new era for the history of mankind. As documented throughout history, the meeting between the Old and the New World has not always been peaceful. The arrival of the explorers disrupted the lives of the natives, when they were threathened to share their land, their resources or surrender these completely while being forced to live under a new governance, religion and customs.

Ansen's unique technique which he has perfected since the early 2000s, is at its best in this remarkable work. The artist carries digital art to a new level, employing actual objects and materials in order to build up his compositions in real life and using digital technology for the finishing touches; a technique whose secrets he does not share with anyone.

An innovator and a commentator on cross-cultural themes, Guns of War, is a true masterpiece by this internationally acclaimed Turkish artist, revered by collectors and curators alike.