RAHA RASTIFARD – IF IT’S NOT TOO DARK
Opening in presence of the artist: 18 February, 2015, 7 PM
February 16 – 28, 2015
In a very subtle, remarkable way Raha Rastifard’s works deal with traditional and contemporary issues of Iran as well as with the cultural background of the artist.
WHITECONCEPTS gallery is delighted to present two new series relating to well-known Persian poet and mystic Hafez. His poems inspired the artist’s approach while reflecting on his philosophical thoughts and ideas about the meaning of life.
The mixed-media series, titled „Book of Longing”, are a visual interpretation of Hafez’ poetry. They create a poetic dimension that mirrors the artist‘s emotions and her understanding of the ancient lines. Already Goethe had become acquainted with Hafez’ works and described it as: “the celestial perfume of the East and invigorating breeze of eternity that was being blown from the plains and the wastelands of Persia, and I came to know an extraordinary man whose personality completely fascinated me.” Goethe’s great masterpiece “West-Östlicher Diwan” left a lasting impression everywhere in Europe. When Goethe founded his great “social philosophy”, he considered the time as ripe to think of a humanistic world philosophy, irrespective of nationality and creed. He believed that the East and the West were not really separate from each other and should approach each other. In furthering this philosophy he also envisaged a world literature, and proposed that the greatest poets of the East i.e. Sa’adi and Hafez should become members of it, which Raha defines and states now within her exhibition.
The photographic series, “If it is not too dark”, are dealing with faith in equity and the trust in a world without violence, with deep understanding of inter-culture and inter-media. Using her body as a symbol against violence the photographs function as a constant reminder of the cause and effects of violence. Raha utilized a beautiful Ghazal (lyric) from Hafez to title her work, because his poetry is full of messages against violence and full of peace and love. By the help of meditation, he and other Sufis found the source of knowledge in their own hearts: Poetry full of light and shade, line and color, poetry full of feelings. The whole contemporary trend of the poetry of Hafiz is to awaken that appreciation and love of beauty, the only means by which to experience that bliss which is the purpose of our life.
The Iranian artist Raha Rastifard is based in Stockholm/Sweden. She studied Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art University of Tehran, Iran and at the Free University Berlin, Germany, and holds a master degree in European Art History and in Iranian Culture and Literature. In 2009 she was awarded as finalist for “Freedom to Create” Prize, organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum London, UK. Until today Rastifard’s works were part of solo and group shows in Germany, Sweden, USA, Japan, Iran, China, and India and have been shown at various art fairs.
The show is kindly supported by Gigant Print Works, Berlin.
Information about Raha Rastifard
www.raharastifard.com
