
Don’t look into my eyes
Curated by Boshko Boskovic and Olga Holzschuh
Kasseler Kunstverein, Kassel
2 September – 24 October 2021
The exhibition title DON’T LOOK INTO MY EYES, references an early video work, Don’t Look into Gypsy eyes, featured in the exhibition. Talking into the camera in her native language (Bosnian), Selman threatens the viewer that if they look into her eyes many things could happen to them including seduction, spells or danger.
Commentary on the fear and fascination with the other as well as crossing boundaries has been a constant theme in Selman’s artistic practice. The video work, You Have No Idea (Election Day) is a version of Selman’s most well known performance piece where she confronts the audience by continually repeating the words “You Have No Idea.” She has performed this work in New York City, Syracuse (New York) and Maribor (Slovenia) amongst others. This video is set in Washington, DC on the election day of 2020. The artist walks across Black Lives Matter Boulevard shouting those same words — followed by a swarm of photo reporters from around the world, an intrigued crowd as well as angry bystanders filming her with their cellphones expressing rage or fascination against Selman’s body.
In her artistic performances Selman is continually attempting to create space for her own expression and being. In the video work No Space is produced to be consumed on the phone where Selman sits on top of a virtual earth globe while explicitly stating how she is fighting for her own space and how no one is welcome there. Commenting on personal security, personal liberty and perhaps private property, this work can be a commentary of one’s own fight for their place in this world.
Anger, power and vulnerability are often intertwined in Selma Selman’s artistic practice. The theme of destruction is often embraced within her performances – using vehicles or household appliances such as washing machines or vacuum cleaners.

Selma Selman, Installation view of Don’t look into my eyes, Curated by Boshko Boskovic and Olga Holzschuh, Kasseler Kunstverein, Kassel, 2021










Photo by Nicolas Wefers