Jaar exhibits at Tate Modern a dark space
where one comes across two tables. They both have light boxes embedded in their surfaces and they are placed on top of one other in reverse positions. The tables are the same size but one is suspended and movable while the other one is grounded on the floor. When the two tables are on top of each other, the room becomes completely dark. As the suspended table is pulled upwards by strings tied on its legs, a rim of light starts to appear until the space becomes dominated by the bright lights that irradiate from the surfaces of the two tables. The viewer, thus, experiences the effect of becoming blind by the light, but this time it occurs gradually. After being suspended all the way, the upper table slowly goes back to its initial position and the room is filled with darkness again. By providing the public with the glare of light instead of visual images, Jaar invites people to reflect upon the questions raised on the texts presented. He gives us a sensorial experience which affects our stereotypical vision.
Additionally, he reinforces the absence of the images by giving viewers a glimpse of emptiness
through the bright screen and lit tables.Similarly to Jaar’s way of thinking, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave points out to the question of how society has its eyes closed to reality – or to the Truth - and how people are condemned to ignorance if they are not able to liberate themselves from their current human
condition.
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