Mehdi Farajpour
ART Habens
word and as an element) that as I mentioned before, has a symbolic meaning in Persian poetry which it is rather opposite to the western perception from the word. Shadow in majority of Persian poetry refers to the notion of Shelter although it does not refer to the same notion in western cultures. I assume it is because of the strength of sun in Iran that sometimes can be too sharp and even harsh, specially in the deserts. So, it is always considered as a resting point where one can relax and protect himself / herself from the burning sun. This notion does not make any sense in most of European countries where it does not happen to have a long period of sunny days in raw.
This is a very important question because one of my interests in performing art’ s world is about VIEWING. How to watch a performance matters to me. From which angle or which corner my audience are going to watch me also matters.
When I create a performance, first I imagine it in 3 dimensions. The floor has always an important role in my shows( performances) and it has to be seen. That is why I mostly prefer to set up my audience in a higher position( like in Greek theatres) where they can easily see the floor. For example in one of my recent shows called CORPS OUBLIÉS( the rite of spring), the choreography was made for / with the video that was being projected on the floor. The venue was a huge abandoned shipyard with a clumsy ground. Or in another show called STOP SPOT, the whole stage including dancers were all covered with newspapers. Also in YET UNTITLED, the floor has got its own role. To me it represent a blank canvas on which I am painting with shadows.
21
431 Special Issue