March 21 – April 26, 2025
Opening reception:
Friday March 21, 6-8pm
COOPER COLE, Toronto, Canada
↓ InformationCOOPER COLE is pleased to present Rock Paper Scissors, a solo exhibition from Nour Bishouty. This marks the artists first solo exhibition with the gallery.
The following text by Danica Pinteric accompanies the exhibit.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDS, OR, HOW TO SPEAK WITH SHADOWS
This manual is intended for all who wish to speak with shadows. For centuries, many have communed with the shadows for a variety of purposes. This guide provides written instructions for hands, wrists, eyes, and minds. Bear in mind, a successful shadow is achieved partially through the manipulation of one’s hands, but just as importantly, the attunement of one’s vision.
THE TOOLS YOU NEED
1. Hands – stretch the fingers and palms to encourage elasticity
2. Light – candlelight (suggested), or a flashlight, or any small spot of light will suffice
3. Screen – a wall, a curtain, a scrim, a firm piece paper, a blank slate
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
Look carefully at your hands. Many know their hands to be tools for work and everyday tasks, this will be different.
Pay attention to your breathing. Accept that all shadows are born a deception.
Allow your eyes to adjust. Remember that you will be performing in the dark.
ROUTINES
1. PARTING THE SEA
Bring fingers and palms together, prayer-like. Slowly rotate hands in opposing directions, creating waves. Increase in speed and relax fingers, as though washing the hands. Stop the motion. Align elbows, arms, wrists, and fingers for an instant, and move hands in opposing directions, keeping elbows together.
2. PALM TREE
Layer one wrist in front of the other, crossing them slightly. Relax your hands. Let your fingers be fronds. Let the breeze move them.
3. A CHIMERA BREATHING AND HUNTING
(Performance enhanced when wearing rings)
Relax your wrist, arm, and shoulder. Bring your thumb to your fingers, as if holding a letter. On the other hand, spread your fingers wide. Bring your hand to the opposing wrist to become a mane, or wings, or scales. Soften and stiffen your fingers and thumbs. Move hungrily. All movements flow from the head of the beast.
4. QUIET NIGHT
Hold one arm out parallel to the floor. With your opposite hand, use your index and middle finger to “walk” across the arm. Each “step” brings the hand further across the arm until you reach the other side. Sigh audibly with relief, or dread, when you reach the other side.
5. ECLIPSE DANCE (For two players)
PLAYER ONE (CHILD), hold your hands out parallel to the wall. Widen the spaces between your fingers.
PLAYER TWO (PARENT), your first action is to assist them. Bring your thumb to your index finger and thread a needle. Stitch the Child’s fingers together, closing all gaps until the remaining shadow becomes a sturdy hill.
CHILD, shake, shake, shake the hands until the fingers come apart. Hang your hands from limp wrists. Your fingertips become rainfall.
PARENT, bring your hands together to make a shallow basin. Collect the sun’s tears. Return them to the Child, who has brought their hands to form their own basin.
CHILD, release the rainfall. Breathe into your wrists. Let the air inflate your hands and hold them far from the light. Part your precious fingers, and wait for the Parent to pose them for you. With their help, your hand becomes a seed, then a stem, then a rose. (A cinnamon rose, as red as yesterday’s). After blooming, pause to rest.
PARENT, enhance the way the Child’s hand becomes a seed, then a stem, then a rose. While they rest, allow the trouble inside you to build. With one hand, hold up fingers and tuck your thumb to your palm. Point your index finger with the other. Notice which utensil is Discipline. (The other is Comfort.) The Child may or may not imitate this sequence.
The artist acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
To learn more about this exhibition, please provide your contact information.
Nour Bishouty
A speeding truck flew past
A speeding truck flew past, 2025
Inkjet prints on paper
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Nour Bishouty
The Red Sea Cross-stitch
The Red Sea Cross-stitch, 2024
Hand-embroidered cotton floss on cotton
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Nour Bishouty
This is the forest primeval
This is the forest primeval, 2025
16mm to HD video, 2 channel, 6'44
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Nour Bishouty
Presenter’s Hands
Presenter's Hands, 2025
HD video, 2'25
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Nour Bishouty
Papercuts
Papercuts, 2025
Die cut paper
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Nour Bishouty
Spouts
Spouts, 2025
Aluminum
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Nour Bishouty
House 4
House 4, 2025
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N.Bishouty0025
Nour Bishouty
House
House, 2025
Low-fired stoneware with white glaze
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Nour Bishouty
Fingers Crossed
Fingers Crossed, 2025
Acrylic, Stainless steel, custom pins
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Nour Bishouty
Heavy Hand
Heavy Hand, 2025
Stainless steel, powder coating, custom pins
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Nour Bishouty
Second Hand
Second Hand, 2025
Stainless steel, powder coating, custom pins
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Nour Bishouty
Gloves (Two Birds)
Gloves (Two Birds), 2025
Spandex
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Nour Bishouty
Palms
Palms, 2025
Spandex
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Nour Bishouty
Anything other than an alphabet
Anything other than an alphabet, 2025
Screen print on paper
Edition of 10
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Nour Bishouty
Untitled
Untitled, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
Untitled
Untitled, 2025
Pas
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Nour Bishouty
Untitled
Untitled, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
Untitled
Untitled, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
Chimera
Chimera, 2025
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Nour Bishouty
Hand
Hand, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
House 2
House 2, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
House 3
House 3, 2025
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Nour Bishouty
Suns
Suns, 2025
Pastel on paper
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Nour Bishouty
Suns 2
Suns 2, 2025
Pastel on paper
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