Islam Abdelkader
At the Edges of Self


2023

Interactive sculpture

Uncut, group exhibition
Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam, The Netherlands


glazed ceramic, metal
195x55x55 cm

In moments of fear, discomfort, or danger, escaping is often an instinctive reaction. But sometimes, leaving can be a choicea deliberate act, a statement of moving forward. Crossing a boundary brings with it a heightened awareness of the body: its weight, its movement, its presence in space.


At the Edges of Self is an interactive sculpture that invites the viewer to engage with these boundaries, both physical and mental. The work is designed to enclose the body in a tight space, compelling the viewer to fit into or mentally inhabit it. Parts of the sculpture remain intentionally incomplete and unglazed, inviting curiosity and exploration. Viewers can look deep within its double-wall structure, searching for cracks or leaks, as if seeking an exit. Through this interaction, the sculpture proposes a unique, personal experience of transcending conventional limits in spatial and bodily perception.