General Statement

I realize that our relationship with nature continues to be tainted by mistreatment, violence, and a sense of superiority—a pattern prevalent in modern societies and furthered by political leaders who exploit culture to embed their ideologies in society. Immense social inequality has driven people to focus solely on survival, often overlooking the significance of a healthy community and ecosystem in sustaining our civilization. This realization has led me to explore the intersection of cultural climate and politics in daily life, seeking to better understand how laws, traditions, and ideologies shape the perceived value of the human body in political discourse.

In our interconnected world, every visual language arises from individual narratives, shaped by introspection, self-discovery, and our relationship with the environment, reinforcing the deep connections between us. Yet, in our pursuit of success within a cutthroat capitalist system, individuals have become atomized, neglecting the fundamental connections that bind us to one another.

Ali Rastgar, 1979, Deylaman Project, Gilan, Iran.

In my daily practice, I use multimedia to expose the pervasive and raw atmosphere of violence directed at individuals, social liberty, and the environment, drawing influence from the materials and concepts themselves. My approach prioritizes the exploration of subject matter and intention over strict adherence to traditional aesthetic or material-based approaches. I aim to challenge cultural standards through the content of the work, rather than focusing solely on the material. I view objects in space as dynamic mediums that encapsulate the essence of memory and the present self, prompting critical thinking and care, rather than nostalgia. Through this multidisciplinary approach, I question how culture, shaped by political forces, can be commodified and misrepresented, particularly in how it ‘others’ individuals. I also seek to explore the dynamic interactions between art, human identity, the physical body, and the environments we share in this interconnected world.

Ali Rastgar, 1979, Deylaman Project, Gilan,Iran.

 

 

 

Nina

Interdisciplinary & Conceptual artist, Performer, Jeweler

Ali Rastgar, 1979, Deylam Project, Gilan, Iran. (Rastgar was a documentary photographer and director at the time in Gilan, Iran.)

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