Dark Matter

‘Troika’s metaphysically strange hanging sculpture Dark Matter (2014), a large black object that looks like a circle, a square or a hexagon depending on where you’re standing, probes (like Olde Wolber’s video) a very contemporary disturbance about the irreconcilability of subjective point-of-view and objective truth.’ – J.J. Charlesworth

Immersing the viewer and impossible to understand in its entirety, the sculpture displays a paradoxically shifting reality, showing three distinct geometrical shapes at different vantage points – a square, a hexagon and a circle.

Jutting out from 4 intersecting cones of vision, so complex that they could only originate and be drawn in virtual space, are the distinct purposeful shapes that frame the perimeter of the sculpture which is suspended and floating as if still sitting in a limitless vacuum. Contrary to its digital origin, the physical twin has a weight, a physical presence and is covered in black flock, selected for its ostensible ability to swallow light.

The work is part of Troika’s perspective sculptures series that includes ‘Squaring the Circle’ (2013) and ‘Polar Spectrum’ (2015). ‘Dark Matter’ premiered at Art Basel Unlimited 2014, and was subsequently exhibited at ZKM Centre for Art and Media Karlsruhe (2015) alongside artists Yuri Ancarani, Camille Henrot and Conrad Shawcross, and in ‘Pink Noise’ (2024), Troika’s solo exhibition at the Langen Foundation, Neuss.  

Read more:

Read more about ’Dark Matter’ in ’Pink Noise’ by Nadim Samman & Dehlia Hannah, in ‘Pink Noise’, pp.5, published by Distanz, 2025

J.J. Charlesworth, ArtReview / Art Basel 2014 roundup

Francesca Gavin, Artsy / 8 Artist to discover at Art Basel 2014

Lisa Contag, Boluin Artinfo / Q & A/ Troika on ‘Dark Matter’ at Art Basel