Siah Bazi

The present series created in sculpture, relief, and painting is intended to reach unity despite the plurality of forms. Basically, the pieces revolved around narrative Persian painting elements as well as a type of traditional marionette puppetry, called kheimeh-shab-bazi which is performed in a small chambered tent. In “Siah-bazi” series, the formal features of this type of Persian theatre are redefined through colorful and modern shapes. The underlying notion is also based on ancient archetypes that live on to the present day during the show, the main character Mobark (Siah) is summoned as the representative of people to play his classical role. He is humorous, reckless, quick-witted with a critical attitude towards social, political, emotional, and even historical issues. However, siah-bazi is not often meant to alleviate the pain of life. It is a way to deal with still, passive, bitter, and silent moments instead. It spreads passing whispers of awareness under the guise of art which is supposed to cause a liberating and cathartic experience in the audience.

Rouzbeh Sharif
April 2023