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Sculptures ‘Frozen in Memory’

Sculptures ‘Frozen in Memory’
Sculptures ‘Frozen in Memory’

The newest set of sculptures by artist Elmira Salamat, titled ‘Ground Floor’ is on view in an installation at Tehran’s Seyhoun Art Gallery.

The show features 10 small size sculptures of old men and women set in hand-made frames, Honaronline quoted the artist as saying.

The small frames are attached together by a string in a bigger metal one. “They are loosely attached in a way that can be separated, if visitors decide to buy one.”

The message behind the artworks is the dependency and in some cases, attachment of old people to inanimate objects. “I witnessed this when I once visited a nursing home. I hoped to create companionship with the residents, but I failed as they were reluctant to accept an unknown person in their midst. They preferred to pass time with their stuff: radio, books, and sometimes toys. This made me more enthusiastic to work on the object of the elderly and their favorite things,” Salamat said.

She then started capturing the elderly men and women in different postures for two years for her sculpture collection.

The elderly frequently go back in time and relive their memories. “They are so sentimental about their past, and see it as colorful and lively. That is why they are attached to these items which hold memories.”

The artist created sculptures, “that are an illustration of old people, frozen in their memory.” The frames portray that “the whole life is like a stage and we are actors, playing our roles. That is what the sculptures do in the frames.”

The works are made of bronze and iron sheets, polyester and fabric.

In a note on the exhibition, the artist said: “Even if you deny or ignore, life is so much stronger that you can imagine. People, who have severely suffered, once again rise from the ashes, and do go about their daily work…wait for the buses, listen to the weather forecast and hold wedding ceremonies for their sons and daughters. Life is so much stronger than you think.”

The exhibition will receive visitors through June 22 at the gallery, located at No. 11, 4th Street, Vozara Avenue.

 

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