Brilliance of Silence

Abstract

Brilliance of Silence is an installation made of fabric and paper which provides a contemplative environment within public space of a gallery. Brilliance of Silence advocates quietude and privacy as two essential missing elements of today’s hectic life. The installation is a reminder of what we are missing in the public environments and how vital it is to bring back alluring spaces to our lives. Brilliance of Silence explores the impact of cultural norms, religion, and gender in forming private and public spaces in various cultures. Originally from Iran, I am comparing residential spaces such as traditional courtyard houses and public architecture like mosques and bazaars (public markets) with my current living environment in the United States. As a female artist, I challenge the gendered and masculine spaces in traditional Iranian architecture. I reclaim the hard and masculine exterior spaces with the soft and feminine fabric and bring what is conventionally kept and covered inside to the public’s eye. Brilliance of Silence explores and examines various components of a space such as scale, material, pattern, light, color, and configuration to create an alluring environment. By providing a calming and quiet space, I hope to make my audience realize the necessity and vitality of silence and privacy which are gradually disappearing from our lives.