29.01.2022 - 16.03.2022
In Mamali Shafahi's first solo exhibition at Everyday Gallery, Daddy Tissue, the Iranian artist sets up a multi-layered space. In the physical sense: two sculptures at the entrance indicate that we have entered Mamali's world. But also in the figurative sense: Shafahi explores the sphere between avant-garde and primitive, liberal and conservative, good and bad - with the audience in the middle being an indicator as well as a catalyst.
Shafahi plays with the boundary between creator and observer. The chair, fabricated via a highly intensive flocking technique, embodies the entire universe. All kinds of animals, flowers and plants can be found in the details. A scorpion, reminiscent of danger, sitting on a delicate eye causes emotions to clash. It is for this reason that for many, despite the artist's receptive approach, it remains nothing more than a dream to actually take a seat.
The artist is renowned for frequently implementing technology, VR and film - and although his work appears highly contemporary, Shafahi relies on his Iranian cultural heritage and the Hindu, Persian and Indian influence as a starting point. By implementing intuitive elements that resonate globally, such as animals, everyone can relate to this history. Which is important, Mamali believes, to avoid systems repeating themselves. The hyper-modern technique used to translate such an ancient history, is what Mamali describes as "clubbing in the past".