Mimicry and Men: Raza Aramesh
article by Sara Raza
Pg.54, Art Asia Pacific Summer 2004 No.41
alix: I found Aramesh's works particularly interesting due to the way he explores his culture and Islam in a world that is so afraid of the muslim population. The exploration of these ideas through his work have typecasted him as a political artist, although the idea of being one is highly amusing. Aramesh has used photographs of a past show he did "Picture This" in 2002 still have the same controversial aura as they would have five years ago. The images of the Middle Eastern men, some wearing balaklavas, are still the same images that instill fear into the hearts of many westerners around the globe. However, having the one man not wearing the mask is what clues us in to the others being of Middle Eastern decent and proving that when we now see people dressed like this we are automated to this 'Oh, he must be muslim!'. But this piece isn't all serious. Aramesh has staged a mockery based upon the current social and political climate. Aramesh's photographs and installations have made him a cult figure in the art world, especially among those who long for a connection to exotic reveries and the longing to be apart of a different culture. I personally like Aramesh's works as they are truely shocking without using any sort of gore but by only using an 'evil' character highly revered by Western society.
Image from: http://www.loushy.com/EXHIBITIONS/gewalt/RezaAramesh2.jpg
Pg.54, Art Asia Pacific Summer 2004 No.41
alix: I found Aramesh's works particularly interesting due to the way he explores his culture and Islam in a world that is so afraid of the muslim population. The exploration of these ideas through his work have typecasted him as a political artist, although the idea of being one is highly amusing. Aramesh has used photographs of a past show he did "Picture This" in 2002 still have the same controversial aura as they would have five years ago. The images of the Middle Eastern men, some wearing balaklavas, are still the same images that instill fear into the hearts of many westerners around the globe. However, having the one man not wearing the mask is what clues us in to the others being of Middle Eastern decent and proving that when we now see people dressed like this we are automated to this 'Oh, he must be muslim!'. But this piece isn't all serious. Aramesh has staged a mockery based upon the current social and political climate. Aramesh's photographs and installations have made him a cult figure in the art world, especially among those who long for a connection to exotic reveries and the longing to be apart of a different culture. I personally like Aramesh's works as they are truely shocking without using any sort of gore but by only using an 'evil' character highly revered by Western society.
Image from: http://www.loushy.com/EXHIBITIONS/gewalt/RezaAramesh2.jpg
posted by Polly Dance at 9:07 AM
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