"On the Sidelines": A Review of Bahman Mohammadi's Solo Show at Dastan's Basement 

Original text in Farsi by Amir Esfandiari

Translated to English by Omid Armat

Dastan's Basement hosted an exhibition of oil and acrylic paintings by Bahman Mohammadi (b. 1985) from February 25 to March 11, 2022. The artist's works have been displayed in multiple group and solo shows in and out of Iran. "On the Sidelines" show is arranged as a result of the first cooperation between the artist and Dastan's Basement.  

The paintings presented in this show are created in small and medium sizes and installed in an irregular arrangement, presenting some of the works in groups of three or four and others individually, far from the rest.  

"On the Sidelines" narrates the figures' mood and position in space; some are depicted entirely, while others are cropped, maybe from the head, and placed on backgrounds, mostly empty and without any horizon line, serving to create a cold, lifeless mood. The paintings are predominantly blue and green in tonality, while greys are also evidently apparent. Figures are rendered devoid of details and depicted individually or in dual formation. The free, massive brushstrokes that are applied regardless of visual details cause the viewer not to care for precise representations of the depicted elements. This has, of course, led to the over-simplification of elements in some of the works. Besides human figures, there are dogs and cats next to or embraced by them. Objects are used minimally; a sofa or a chair attracts attention in some works. On the other hand, there are faded trees in the backgrounds, the brown and green colors of which are not lively enough to detach from the greys. This is also visible in human figures. In other words, we see secluded humans who have no help to get out of the conditions they are facing. This may be related to the main issue that the artist has propounded by creating these works; loneliness.   

Using the mentioned elements, "On the Sidelines" has turned into a place for presenting an understanding of loneliness. The artist has tried to go beyond mere representation and has focused on creating a mood based on this concept, initially displayed in the form of lonely, isolated, and sometimes lolled figures. However, this changes as we proceed to other works in the show. Creating a mood by juxtaposing cold colors and avoiding details causes a kind of inner sensitivity in figures. They are detached from their private environment and placed in an endless range of greys and blues. They may not be physically alone, and they may be taking a rest on a hammock, but they are alienated from their private space. This alienation sometimes reveals their fear and anxiety about being in a particular environment. It may be because they don't understand their surroundings and other humans. It may also result from a lack of mutual understanding in works depicting multiple human figures. 

"On the Sidelines" happens simply like this. It doesn't look for unnecessary innovation or fuss in technical matters. Instead, it tries to become immersed in what it represents. This series is full of suspended faces and bodies that have surrounded themselves in a particular mental space while detached from their surroundings and attempting to understand their conditions.  

Cover and slider image:

• www.dastansbasement.gallery