Rojhane Hosseni

متن بیانیه نمایشگاه شکستنی به زبان فارسی

First, Making the Breakable

 The Starting point in "Breakable" exhibition was adopting a different attitude towards ceramic material whose functional position had been dominant. But we should note that this attitude has been different from the biased positions of ceramic biennials without regarding the technical achievements in this field. We've taken a conceptual attitude to express hidden idea of the work just by ceramic language. Hence, the construction of this exhibition was called "ceramic-based". We consider this trend a turning point for the presence of ceramic in the realm of visual arts as an independent material being free from titles, names and past concerns.

 Besides utilizing the capacities of ceramic material, the exhibition pursued a contemporary approach and a definite title. Here, "contemporary" does not necessarily mean "present", but it is a genre or form of art with clear definitions and concepts, although relative and variable. It is a critical audience-based art that knows the work creditable by means of multi-layer reading far from a single meaning and narration. Giving a title and writing a statement (not for the explanation of the whole work, but actually a part of it) are also among the other necessary measurements taken.

 In this contemporariness, individuality matters and group exhibitions have been put aside. There is no belief in recall for gathering. In fact, institutions and exhibition-holders are the criterion to distinguish art from what is not.

 The title "Breakable" was an understanding or interpretation of a defect and also the extant capacity in ceramic. "Breakable" was applied as a means to express the meaning in this exhibition. This capacity has been always regarded cautiously by the audience. But we chose this title to show the importance in deconstructing (breaking) the meaning. The "Breakable" is not accompanied with caution, but it brings salvation and freedom. The act of breaking is an instant perhaps a destructive accident but it is considered dynamic and effective in art and mind. In this regard, we challenged the artists' attitudes in order to have them make artworks by putting aside (somehow breaking) the attachments (strong feelings of affection) and ignoring the dominant atmosphere of the art and society.

 This exhibition under the title "Breakable" was in session with a definite statement and the assistance of advisors who invited different artists. Going beyond the limits of contemporariness, young artists were summoned and gathered here by the advisors' acceptance the result of which was a successful presentation of their works.

 Hence, regarding the structural contradictories of the exhibition, it seems that it has invited the critics and authorities to give opinion on the following matters:

 -          The presence of artists with or without considering their artistic background in a specific medium

 -          Applying the language of material in a contemporary art that does not believe in the genuineness of material

 -          Showing the selectors' and artists' different points of view under a definite title

 -          The independence of the young artist from his/her artistic background and the full attention to meaning and material verses a different interpretation of the work with a known artist

 -          And finally, can the artist attach contemporariness to the work by predetermined clichés?   

We believe that what will accomplish this trend is the proper understanding of works by the audience and the critics' criticism in the direction of expanding and provoking thought and conception in the contemporary art. In this regard, we've asked some connoisseurs to write down some texts about the exhibition on the basis of their own opinion and understanding. There is no doubt that we regard these writings as valuable ideas, without being accepted or rejected.

Relying on a material of an eastern origin and the dominant atmosphere of the society where philosophy, art theories, critical approach and active audience have priority, "Breakable" aimed at breaking the common traditions in the field of ceramics. But breaking the stereotyped formats, the standards and the defined patterns in contemporary art are considered established restrictions to be broken (flouted) by forerunner artists in the near future.  

 Holding a group exhibition being far from the current situation in the present complicated conditions of our art which is under the domination of gallerists and art dealers in estimating artworks' values seemed a very difficult task. But it was eventually fulfilled by the assistance of advisors and artists. Any starting point has undoubtedly its own challenges and deficiencies. It is hoped that this event would be a start to yield valuable achievements by continuation and perseverance. We thank all the artists, audiences, authorities, managers and all who were concerned in this project in Aud Academy of Visual Arts.

 Rojhaneh Hosseini

 January, 2016