PİLEVNELİ will present Lal Batman’s solo exhibition "The Grand Excess" at its Dolapdere space between January 8 and February 7, 2026.
In "The Grand Excess", Lal Batman questions the glittering face of social media while confronting the elegance of the past with the artificial grandeur of the present. Historical layers spanning Ancient Egypt and Greece to the 18th, 19th, and 21st centuries converge with aesthetic traditions from South America, the Far East, the Middle East, and the West. This convergence is not a mere coincidence; it stands as a profound and multi-layered critique of the superficiality that defines our era.
Batman’s works come to life on carved, textured paper, where digital and plastic elements meet ink, acrylic, natural and glass stones, and pearls. The interplay of these diverse materials offers viewers an intense sensory experience, transforming fragments of historical memory into vivid, tactile components of the present.
"The Grand Excess" emerges as a visual manifesto that places the aesthetic values of the past within a contemporary context. Emphasizing that differences can not only coexist but also enrich one another, the exhibition redefines grandeur—not as mere spectacle, but as a timeless symbol of cultural dialogue, resilience, and harmony.
One of the notable elements of the exhibition is an original perfume designed and developed by MG Gülçiçek to reflect the artist’s story and energy, offering visitors a multi sensory olfactory experience. Accompanying the artworks throughout the exhibition space, this scent deepens the audience’s engagement and highlights the multidimensional nature of art.
Another key component is the sound experience featuring a musical composition created exclusively for the exhibition by Berk İçli. His work complements Batman’s layered visual language, offering visitors a unique auditory encounter that enriches the exhibition’s atmosphere and allows for a deeper engagement with the artist’s themes.
This exhibition is supported by Tosyalı Holding and Tepta Aydınlatma.
Bringing its pioneering vision in green steel production together with upcycling in art, Tosyalı Holding has contributed to the enduring dialogue between industry and art as the book sponsor of the publication accompanying the exhibition.
