Rhythm of Silence

Exhibition I Performance I Lecture I Panel discussion
A project by Raf Projects and CLB Berlin
Curated by Alireza Labeshka & Sadaf Vasaei

Urban Discourse: Parham Mortazavian
With works by Parnian Ferdossi, Ali Reza Hemmat Boland, Jomhour Collective, Alireza Labeshka, Masih Mostajeran and Mehrali Razzaghmanesh

Exhibition Design: Parisa Hakiminia & Farrokh Falsafi
Graphic Design: Amir Moghtada (Ra Studio)

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“The Saddest city in the world” is the exaggerated label that architectural historian Wouter Vanstiphout gives to Tehran, in a descriptive article he authored after visiting the city in 2006. However, this remark does not and cannot describe the multiple temporalities and political flux of Tehran exhaustively. RHYTHM OF SILENCE narrates these constant transformations aesthetically, and depicts the commodification of space as a global trend with a local authoritarian taste.

Following an interdisciplinary approach this group exhibition brings together a variety of artworks challenging the aesthetics of the municipal urban art under the act of “Beautification.” Public spaces have been surrounded by baffling car centered development, yet remain the central realm of politics and representation. This practice of (Islamic) Neo-liberal development results in a rapid urban expansion, an “American Dream” producing voids and inner city slum-like settlements.

The „Rhythm of Silence“ is not a speculative interpretation of the future, but a turn into the aesthetics of everyday spaces; landscapes with no representation. The eventual redefinition of Tehran’s urban sphere unveils agoraphobic tendencies, limiting movement and accessibility. In this modality, public space is the space of transition and control, a non-place at the scale of a mega city.

The sound installation, photographs and video works of the exhibition reflect concurrently the processes that form and redefine Tehran’s urban space, while examining the ideologies and habits imposed upon its citizens. Underlying this, the term ‘public space’ is conceived as a broader, unrestricted sphere, facilitating social interaction between individuals.

RHYTHM of SILENCE will be accompanied by a publication of the same title, tours through the exhibition and a panel discussion.

This exhibition is being kindly supported by Ag Galerie Tehran. Many thanks go to friends and colleagues who helped us for the realization of this project specially Stephanie Kloss, Abnous Alborzi, Hamidreza Labeshka, Sama Mozdastan, Fatemeh Jabbari and Hossein Razzaghzadeh.

RHYTHM OF SILENCE is the first cooperation between CLB and Raf Projects concerning the emergent urban aesthetics and critical understanding of Tehran, Iran.

Opening: 3 May 2018, 19:00
Venue: CLB Berlin
Aufbau Haus am Moritzplatz
Prinzenstraße 84.2
Berlin-Kreuzberg
Entrance via Oranienstraße 142, 10969 Berlin

Exhibition: 4 May – 27 May 2018
Tuesday to Saturday 15:00 to 19:00

Panel discussion: 9 May 2018 19:00