Politically engaged artist Kendell Geers calls for enlightenment over violence in Kannibale , his first solo show at Paris' Yvon Lambert. The South Africa-born artist stencils a replica of the classical Nike of Samothrace with a black-and-white chain-link pattern designed from the lettering of the word "fuck;" it presides over an installation of colorless artworks, while nearby, there's a white-neon skull, text-decorated animal craniums, and videos, including one where "fuck" reappears, repeating in looped proverbs and becoming almost tender. In the main gallery, Geers uses violent materials to form positive symbols, such as stacks of horrifyingly beautiful razor wire and a yantra-style hexagon, H.E.X. , made from billy clubs exploding outward. The blue neon spiral Manifest asks WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN? as Geers pleads for action, not just answers.

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Kendell Geers' work is also on display at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, England, through January 6.