ARTISTS
Of Now and Tomorrow, Forever
Transmitter is pleased to present Of Now and Tomorrow, Forever, featuring the work of artists Noor Abed and Hera B眉y眉kta艧c谋yan as well as filmmakers Ariane Lorrain and Kaveh Nabatian whose videos explore cycles of life and death through the lens of mythology, religion and history. Synonymous with the passage of time, these cycles highlight the dichotomy of humanity鈥檚 brief, myopic experiences on earth versus the perpetual, irrepressible evolution of the natural world. Each film represents one of the four classical elements: Air, Fire, Earth and Water. Within the scope of this exhibition, the elements represent nature as a whole who acts as a constant witness and the bearer of humanity鈥檚 traces left behind on the planet. Conversely, the films are testaments to humanity鈥檚 resilience in the face of perpetual loss and ubiquitous injustice. Of Now and Tomorrow, Forever is curated by Lila Nazemian and runs from February 10 - March 10, 2024.
Kaveh Nabatian鈥檚 Introduzione and Ariane Lorrain鈥檚 The Word of Forgiveness, representing the elements of Air and Fire respectively, are part of the experimental film The Seven Last Words. Conceived and led by Nabatian, seven filmmakers were assigned a sonata from Joseph Haydn鈥檚 oratorio, The Seven Last Words of Christ, and invited to create a short film that engages with the themes present within the original scripture. Haydn鈥檚 music consists of the audio for each film, and when shown in its entirety, the piece is meant to be accompanied by a live string quartet.
Nabatian鈥檚 film is a breathtaking experience of flight and surrender. Shot in Haiti, it is imbued with references to Haitian Vodou mythology. Featured is the figure of Baron Samedi, the spirit of death and resurrection, portrayed with his usual top hat and face painted like a skull. He decides when and if individuals will be allowed to enter the realm of the dead. The film revolves around a lone woman who boards a small aircraft piloted by the Baron. As they circle the skies, we witness the woman鈥檚 evolving journey, as at first she fears, then confidently accepts her destiny into the afterlife. Lorrain鈥檚 film is a poetic documenting of the Ashura mourning ceremony in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr. Ashura is practiced by Shia Muslims annually to commemorate the unjust killing of the Prophet Mohammad鈥檚 grandson, Hussein, alongside most all his male relatives by the Umayyad caliph. The similarities between Jesus and Hussein are palpable; Hussein sacrificed himself for God and for his religious community, also, in Shia lore, he is believed to resurrect on the Day of Judgement. Lorrain presents an ethereal yet tender portrayal of commonly observed practices such as communal gatherings, chest beating processions and dramatic reenactments of the inhumane murders. Ashura鈥檚 significance goes beyond Hussein鈥檚 intercession in the afterlife on behalf of mourners, or a refusal to submit to oppression, this collective mourning ritual is furthermore a space where individuals can reflect on the injustices within their own lives, and particularly for men, to weep without stigma.
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Transmitter is pleased to present Of Now and Tomorrow, Forever, featuring the work of artists Noor Abed and Hera B眉y眉kta艧c谋yan as well as filmmakers Ariane Lorrain and Kaveh Nabatian whose videos explore cycles of life and death through the lens of mythology, religion and history. Synonymous with the passage of time, these cycles highlight the dichotomy of humanity鈥檚 brief, myopic experiences on earth versus the perpetual, irrepressible evolution of the natural world. Each film represents one of the four classical elements: Air, Fire, Earth and Water. Within the scope of this exhibition, the elements represent nature as a whole who acts as a constant witness and the bearer of humanity鈥檚 traces left behind on the planet. Conversely, the films are testaments to humanity鈥檚 resilience in the face of perpetual loss and ubiquitous injustice. Of Now and Tomorrow, Forever is curated by Lila Nazemian and runs from February 10 - March 10, 2024.
Kaveh Nabatian鈥檚 Introduzione and Ariane Lorrain鈥檚 The Word of Forgiveness, representing the elements of Air and Fire respectively, are part of the experimental film The Seven Last Words. Conceived and led by Nabatian, seven filmmakers were assigned a sonata from Joseph Haydn鈥檚 oratorio, The Seven Last Words of Christ, and invited to create a short film that engages with the themes present within the original scripture. Haydn鈥檚 music consists of the audio for each film, and when shown in its entirety, the piece is meant to be accompanied by a live string quartet.
Nabatian鈥檚 film is a breathtaking experience of flight and surrender. Shot in Haiti, it is imbued with references to Haitian Vodou mythology. Featured is the figure of Baron Samedi, the spirit of death and resurrection, portrayed with his usual top hat and face painted like a skull. He decides when and if individuals will be allowed to enter the realm of the dead. The film revolves around a lone woman who boards a small aircraft piloted by the Baron. As they circle the skies, we witness the woman鈥檚 evolving journey, as at first she fears, then confidently accepts her destiny into the afterlife. Lorrain鈥檚 film is a poetic documenting of the Ashura mourning ceremony in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr. Ashura is practiced by Shia Muslims annually to commemorate the unjust killing of the Prophet Mohammad鈥檚 grandson, Hussein, alongside most all his male relatives by the Umayyad caliph. The similarities between Jesus and Hussein are palpable; Hussein sacrificed himself for God and for his religious community, also, in Shia lore, he is believed to resurrect on the Day of Judgement. Lorrain presents an ethereal yet tender portrayal of commonly observed practices such as communal gatherings, chest beating processions and dramatic reenactments of the inhumane murders. Ashura鈥檚 significance goes beyond Hussein鈥檚 intercession in the afterlife on behalf of mourners, or a refusal to submit to oppression, this collective mourning ritual is furthermore a space where individuals can reflect on the injustices within their own lives, and particularly for men, to weep without stigma.
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