NOWs: Misericordia by Rafael Ibarra

20 - 24 July 2016 / Nows

The dagger is moved back and forth by a machine mounted on the ceiling. The slight asymmetry of the dagger generates variations in the pendular movement. The dagger “cuts” the water surface just when the distance to the water is short enough.

The Misericorde (derived from the latin Misericordia “act of mercy”) daggers were used from the Middle Ages until the 16th century to end the sufferings of seriously wounded soldiers by delivering a death stroke. They were used both for friends and enemies. The thin blade is designed to strike between the gaps of a knight’s armour plates.

The work is presented as part of the Meisterschüler show at Universität der Künste Berlin:

Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK), Hardenbergstr. 33, 10623 Berlin, room 94
Opening times: 22.07-24.07.2016; Fr. 13-22 h Sat. 11-22 h, Sun 11-20 h

Rafael Ibarra: Misericordia, 2016. Water, Misericorde dagger, machine, plastic foil. 9,45 x 5,46 x 6,58 m. Installation view.