ACHROMIA BY INDIA MAHDAVI AT CARWAN GALLERY

Carwan Gallery’s new commission to architect and designer India Mahdavi is an exploration of form in the absence of colour. It’s a reflection on the link between India Mahdavi’s work and the erasure of colour from classical art and architecture.

The challenge given to Mahdavi was to reinvent her most iconic objects and translate them into a ‘contemporary error’ of art history by removing colour from them, resulting in Achromia — which lends the exhibition its title.

India Mahdavi. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis
India Mahdavi. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis

 

This counter-intuitive gesture generates a new perspective on her work, just like the erroneous colourlessness of Ancient Greek temples and statues changed our perception of how they were meant to be experienced. The appearance of Mahdavi’s objects changes as soon as their colour is taken away, immortalising them in a ‘historic error’ of interpretation. They underline this specific historic negation, meditating — through its absence — on the power of colour, how it conditions our perception of space, and its psychological impact.

India Mahdavi, Achromia. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis
India Mahdavi, Achromia. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis

Mahdavi’s virtuosity with colour sometimes overshadows her way with form. One of the aspirations of this commission is to also reveal the formal qualities in her work — an exercise that Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, Carwan’s founder, almost imposed on the designer over a whole year of negotiations, pushing her towards a completely new avenue of experimentation that is an essay on the significance of colour. In her work in general, Mahdavi’s approach emerges from a constant research of light revealed by her association of colours and textures. As such, the intervention on the objects designed for this series followed the idea of capturing light — as in the way the grooves on a doric column catch the light — emphasising new textures and sculptural details.

India Mahdavi, Achromia. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis
India Mahdavi, Achromia. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis

The series of objects is composed of signature pieces designed by Mahdavi over the past two decades, ranging from the iconic Bishop series to the Alber and Diagonal tables, executed in marble. This unique new expression of them being colourless unveils each object’s true lines and geometries. All objects are carved in Pentelic marble, a material chosen by sculptors and architects throughout history for its excellent quality and its white colour that has a golden sheen when hit by sunlight. Each object is handmade in Greece, combining advanced digital technology and craftsmanship at Delta Marmara workshops, on the outskirts of Athens.

India Mahdavi. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis
India Mahdavi. Photo Giorgos Sfakianakis

The exhibition is on view until the 13th of August, 2022

Info is extracted from the press release.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

selections-arts-logo

SELECTIONS is a platform for the arts, focusing on the Arab World.

Selections editorial presents a quarterly print magazine and weekly online publication with high quality content on all subjects related to Art and Culture. Full of world-leading artworks, exquisite brand imagery, original creative illustrations and insightful written articles.
Selections Viewing Rooms presents carefully curated online art shows aiming not only to shed light on contemporary art executed by living artists, but also for viewers to buy contemporary fine art, prints & multiples, photography, street art and collectibles.
Discover the previous and current shows here.
Cultural Narratives foundation is an extensive collection that is travelling the world by leading established and emerging talents aiming to reflect the culture of the region in their works.

RANDOM READS

‘Poltergeist’ by Farah Al Qasimi at C/O Berlin

On view at C/O Berlin is “Poltergeist” a show by Farah Al Qasimi.  A multidisciplinary media artist born in 1991 in the UAE, her works comprise a compelling fusion of photographs and video art, exploring the elusive realm of the…

“In/Visible: Objects in the Mirror,” “An Untitled Exhibition,” “A Way With Light”at Athr Gallery, Jeddah

This autumn, ATHR Gallery in Jeddah offers a trifecta of exhibitions. From September 27 to December 27, 2023, visitors can visit “In/Visible: Objects in the Mirror,” Rami Farook’s “An Untitled Exhibition,” and “A Way With Light.” In/Visible: Objects in the…

‘Voices Without Borders’ by Etel Adnan and Simone Fattal at KINDL

“Voices without Borders” presents an intimate dialogue between two influential voices from the Arab world, Etel Adnan and Simone Fattal. The exhibition, hosted at KINDL, is a testament to the multidisciplinary nature of their artistic and literary contributions. Notably, Adnan…

‘Only Life, Myriad Places’ by Sudarshan Shetty at Ishara Art Foundation

Sudarshan Shetty’s artistic practice navigates the intricate realms of both inner and outer dimensions of everyday existence. Through his creations, the lines between dreams and reality, memories and fantasies, and tangible objects and ethereal spectres blur, spotlighting the impermanent and…

“Unsuspecting State” by Abdalla Al Omari at Ayyam Gallery

Ayyam Gallery presents “Unsuspecting State,” a solo exhibition showcasing Abdalla Al Omari’s latest body of work. While this marks his second solo exhibition at Ayyam Gallery, it’s his first as a represented artist. In a departure from his usual sarcasm…

Knokke Art Fair 2023

Gradually and steadily, the Knokke Art Fair has expanded to achieve a high standard, driven by a steadfast commitment to innovation and equilibrium. It places equal importance on quality, unforeseen elements, consistency and diversity. This is prominently displayed in the…

september 2023

02apr(apr 2)09:0015sep(sep 15)09:00SELECTED WORKS - NABIL ANANI

03may(may 3)09:0026nov(nov 26)20:00LOBI LOBI - BOBO LAND - Comic Craze Vol. 3

04may01sepSEHAM