A newly-established gallery in Tehran 'Today Art Gallery' is displaying artworks of two artists, Saba Najafi from Iran and Loredana Galante from Italy, at its first formal exhibition entitled 'Going to…'
"The gallery aims to showcase creative works of art in various fields, especially digital art - using digital technology - like: graphic and illustration, animation, short film, video and computer games," said director Arezu Aqaii, reports Honaronline.
Describing the gallery as a place to display and sell artworks, she noted: "In addition to exhibitions, it will host workshops on different issues to provide an opportunity for ideas and knowledge exchange among artists so as to help promote the quality of artworks."
"We are negotiating with an Italian company to expand mutual art relations based on which Iranian artists can display their works in Italy, and vice versa," she added.
Installation
The joint exhibition is an installation art, regarded as an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of space, she said.
Although they are showcasing two independent installations, the artworks will complement each other, she stressed, noting: "By making some changes to the installations, we plan to present a performance named 'Nodi' (knot) in which visitors can participate as well."
"Najafi has made use of different pieces of textiles with different patterns, while Loredana has made drawings on embroidered pieces of cotton, all in a range of fabric hanging from the ceiling in circular free form," painter and art critic Behnam Kamrani noted.
The presentation will begin by tying and untying the knots in a ritual performance, he explained. "Pieces of cotton and knots have always been the first human companions. Cloth is the closest thing to the human body and has always remained with him in life and death."
"The performance entails the concepts of change, transformation, flow, mobility and progression introduced by fragile, powerful and feminine performance of the artists," noted Italian critic Alessandra Radaelli.
Self-Awareness
In Iranian culture, tying a knot represents making a wish or request with the hope that it is granted. In the performance, the presence of the knot is a symbol of self-awareness. The circle and the knot are used in an unending circular movement, indicating life, death and resurrection, with the symbolic knots tied and untied.
The exhibition opened on April 12 and will run until April 26, at unit 3, No. 19, Lashkarak Alley, Roudbar-e Sharghi St, Mirdamad Boulevard.
