"Parable of the Garden"

The current exhibit, “Parable of the Garden” is a very strong exhibit in my opinon. An exhibit that features new media artwork from Central Asia, I was drawn to a Video piece entitled “Earth.” “Earth” (2006) by Simin Keramati, an artist from Tehran Iran, is a video installation that focuses on the personal as well as possibly social constraints an Iranian women is placed apon. The video installation features Simin Keramati as the main object of the piece. During the video, one observes Simin sitting being buried, very slowly. Over the course of the video that focuses on the process of her being buried alive, one is aware of the sounds of the sand pouring down on her. For me, this sound was very unsettling. The message behind “Earth” was very emotional and powerful. In my opinion, I believe this piece was in a sense, a self-portrait. She was her expressing a situation in which she is being constrained by, a situation in which she is passive towards. Although, I believe she is focusing on a personal issue, I also think that she could be setting herself as the face for all women of Iran, and the issues in which they face daily. The act of burying one’s self alive and allowing this to occurs shows a sense of desperation. A sense of self desperation, yet a sense of hope. I believe this piece was the artist reflecting back upon a time where she once felt this form of constraint. This piece, when not exhibited alone, is 1/4th of a piece of hers entitled “The Four Elements.” I believe this piece is very strong when presented in its own sense, yet I believe when with the other four it gains a different strength. In the “Parable of the Garden” there was another part of the series entitled “Water.” (2007) This piece featured a glass of water with a piece of paper with a message written. Over the course of this video, one observes the water erasing the contents of this message. One is unaware of what the message says, however Simin said that was not the focus of the video. Since water is often thought of as a purifier the process of the water destroying and creating something new was a very powerful message in my opinion.