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And the walls continue to whisper... by Sarvin Haghighi

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE - WHISPERING WALLS ShowPODs are a series of 7 exhibition spaces in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Conceptualized by John Podmajersky III and created by the Chicago Arts District, ShowPODs create an instant art experience in a non-traditional space and can viewed by anyone at anytime during the life of its installation.

Each year six artists are selected to showcase their art and I am honored to have been selected for the fall exhibit. My aim remains the same; to share part of Persian - Iranian - culture which the vast majority may not be familiar with, therefore The Whispering Walls continues to close the gap between cultures and also to break down the traditional barrier between the Artist and Art enthusiasts. The exhibit will come to life via seven storefronts along Halsted Street in Pilsen. It will be comprised of mixed media, including: paintings, installations, sculpture and will be very experiential.

The sketches were fully a completed few weeks back and we are now in the preparation phase. I am blessed to have an amazing artist helping me out.  She has been my role model and the one person who really got me interested in art; my lovely mom, Nasrin Moghadam. Together we are now creating the first elements of the exhibit and there is a long way to go. The first stages of this project is coming together in Michigan. I couldn't really ask for more, having my mom here, listening to amazing music, the sound of wind blowing through the greenest leaves you could imagine...this is a little pieces of heaven for sure.

More detailed information and instruction coming soon on what to expect and also on how to get involved as a viewer. For now, just look out for more on #WhisperingWalls...

 

Whispering Walls revealed... by Sarvin Haghighi

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This past Sunday - June 14th 2015 - we celebrated the new location of Evanston Art Center with some amazing art. The first show in the new location called "Hybrid's Paradise" curated by Sergio Gomez will be open to public for visit till August 9th 2015. I was honored to be selected as one of the artists for this amazing event so I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit about Whispering Walls.

Sarvin Haghighi

Whispering Walls 2015

Installation of mixed media including glass blocks, ink, paper, and oil paint.

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PIECE IN THIS SHORT VIDEO

Artist Statement

Building off the notion of walls, and how they serve to protect and safeguard, I conceived this installation as a way to represent the fused reality of my hybrid existence. The piece is meant to link together the equally rich, but often diametrically opposed cultures of the Eastern and Western worlds.

I choose glass blocks for the exterior of this piece, as they are commonplace here in Chicago – my new home since moving here from Dubai in 2012. They speak to the architectural significance and wonder of this great city. And they present a nice, polished façade – much like many of us try to do in daily life. Yet their transparency allows the viewer to get a suggestive glimpse at what lies beneath.

While the overall color palette speaks to American patriotism, and my new home - what’s imbedded between the exterior panels is what speaks to my core. As a child, my parents would read to me the poetry of Rumi, which to this day remains a large part of my soul. I like to think his words whisper through these foreign walls to the viewer – conveying a universal and timeless message.

Special thanks to:-

  • Sergio Gomez for having this piece on the exhibit and for the video
  • David Mugra for writing this amazing artist statement on this piece
  • Mohsen Kamza for adding music to the video
  • Song title - Elements by Lindsey Stirling

 

EAC Installation - First stages by Sarvin Haghighi

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EAC Installation - First stages Evanston Art Centre is going to have a new home.

I had the sketch, the idea, the vision and most importunely the approval to go ahead with my installation for the opening ceremony of Evanston Art Center (EAC)'s new location. Now it was time to make it happen. The theme is Hybrid's Paradise and as always my aim was to share my culture. My installation proposal consists of glass blocks which you see everywhere in Chicago mixed with Farsi calligraphy of Rumi Poetry and Persian and Islamic architectural designs.

I need to add that this is one of the installations I will have at EAC . The other one will be part of the same project but with completely different material. With these installations I aim to combine some part of both cultures of East and West.

After many trips to Home Depot (I can say I have hit most of their Chicago locations!) I got all the materials I needed. I did some testing obviously prior to get them all and worked my way through the process.

The blocks are not that light so to have 5 rows to 5 blocks each is not the easiest job to do. I am getting closer to the final stages and will post more images as we get closer to the event but the final creation will be revealed only on June 14th 2015 during the official opening ceremony of the new home for EAC.

Once again I can not mention how thrilled I am to be part of these amazing group of artists. More photos and updates coming up within the next few days. You will see the progress. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook.