Arts & Culture

Reply to Mehrban: Market?

Gladstone gallery in Chelsea is "the market"?

Maybe the market for posing.

Since you dropped the conversation from art to money, I am assuming you don't want to debate the artistic merit of the installation. Whcih I will remind you is a variation on another similar one she did.

Also, like, why call it Shahnameh but then not use the Shahnameh poetry exclusively?

Why not just call it "Power" or "Tyranny"?

To call it Shahnameh, then use other poetry?

Seems weak.

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Dear Bahmani

The thing is that the art market loves it.  

I don't get it

Seems to be yet another example of the notoriously evident "Cowardice" or "Afraid to say what I mean" element, that is all too common in contemporary Iranian art today.

Either the poem is legible and evocative and obvious as to the message (oppression, fear, revolt,?) of the image. Or it is purposely hidden to allow the viewer to create a conclusion in their mind as to the message of oppression or against oppression or whatever.

This is confusing and doesn't actually make me think, because it is, either, or. Not too deep and not too un-obvious.

After the same exact presentation by the Cesar award ad with Golshifteh, this is merely another Iranian artist's variation on an already done more popular theme. Actually another variation on one she did herself in "Women of Allah" (1993-1997), "a series of photographs depicting women in veils carrying guns with their skin covered in Islamic poetry."

Oh for the day, when Iranian artists finally realize that they are actually free to create anything they want to create and don't have to obsess on Iranian politics, or worse copy another artist to validate their talent and existence.

Certainly ALL the Iranian art that has focused on Iranian politics has not had the LEAST effect on it. So why don't we try to move on? Just to see how it feels.

Sorry Ms. Neshat, I've seen this already, it was better, and I always expect something more creative and original from you. It's like you have all this talent but can't seem to be able to escape yourself and "the Iranian condition" in order to express it.

Please try harder and stop thinking within the Iran-box you have a built around you.

While you are most certainly Shirin Neshat the Iranian, I guess I want to now see who Shirin Neshat the Human Being is. Maybe that will help you free yourself.

The more we focus on our oppression and plight, especially in art, the more it becomes a valid part of us. Let's stop doing it for a minute, and see where we can soar.

Dear moderator, please feel free to copy and paste this comment into any Farhadi film comment box as well.

To read more bahmani posts visit: http://brucebahmani.blogspot.com/

Repetition

Repetition has become the name of the game.  From Damien Hirst's spot paintings to Neshat produce repetitive images, Quantity makes quality.  60 people in a studio can crank out unlimited works of art.  Everyone owes Andy Warhol.  

Ps. Impressive nonetheless.   

people, power

Great to see Neshat going back to her roots. She is at her best as a photographer and her latest creation is a stunning reflection of our world today. More power to her.

Thank you Behnam Nateghi for another great report.