A long line of people swerves across expansive mountains. In Brilant Milazimi’s panoramic painting, the crowd seems to merge with the vast terrain. Echoing historical and contemporary scenes of displacement, the immersive composition depicts frail bodies lingering in the landscape. They patiently wait and stand still. They mark time, but persevere, with their teeth tightly clenched. 

Waiting is not abstract in Kosovo. For decades, mobility has been determined by the legacy of a brutal war that further confused international borders and resulted in delayed and provisional acknowledgments. This prolonged suspension of time reflects a lived indeterminacy shaped by political transition, contested recognition, and a sovereignty in continued negotiation.

Across the globe, the image of the line has returned. People fleeing war. Standing at checkpoints. Waiting for asylum. Waiting to learn whether they will be allowed to stay, whether they will be sent back, whether return is even possible.

Hard Teeth by Brilant Milazimi ruminates on the lasting effects of waiting and how they become embedded in the nervous system. When endured over time, an extended deferral can twist the psyche and set false expectations, particularly when what lies ahead is unknown. 

—

Visit  
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Pianto, Venice
Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–19:00

View on Google Maps