Articulations of the Self 9 2015

Editor: This is "Articulations of the Self 9" by Amir Baradaran, created in 2015. It seems to capture a live performance or event. I'm struck by the figure looking upwards, seemingly contemplating the screens filled with text and images. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This photograph is indeed fascinating. Let's consider its layers. It depicts a contemporary performance, situated within what seems like a historical space. The juxtaposition is key. How does this interplay of old and new speak to you, especially in relation to the artwork’s title? Editor: I guess the 'articulation of self' might be about placing yourself in history, maybe even struggling against the weight of it? The figure seems small against that building in the background. Curator: Precisely! The individual *is* positioned in relation to power structures, represented here by the architecture. Notice also the screens displaying fragmented images and text. Baradaran seems to be asking: How do we construct identity in the digital age, when our narratives are constantly mediated and performed? Is there space to subvert the historical and technological impositions? Editor: The screens remind me of social media, constantly feeding us information. I’m also drawn to the repetition of "NAM NA MANAM." What does that mean? Curator: The repetition and the fact that you can't quite grasp the meaning is part of the point. Think about language itself as a site of power and control. This phrase might hint at cultural identity, perhaps referencing the artist's own background and playing with themes of language barriers and cultural interpretation. Do you think that not being able to read the text allows you a deeper observation of everything else going on? Editor: Yes, definitely. I see so much more now, thinking about it as a performance about identity. It's almost as if he is pushing back against a dominant narrative. Thanks so much for your insight! Curator: And thank you for your curiosity. I think examining work like this empowers us to ask critical questions of the many historical and technological narratives around us.