Hoda Kashiha at Parallel Circuit: In Appreciation of Blinking

Original text in Farsi by Amir Esfandiari

Translated to English by Niki Fallahfar

"In Appreciation of Blinking" is the title of a show by Hoda Kashiha at Parallel Circuit which was held in September and October 2021. Kashiha (b. 1986), has previously participated in several solo and group shows in Iran and abroad, and "In Appreciation of Blinking" is her latest experience. An experience that addresses exploration in the moment of blinking, which is a space that oscillates between seeing and not seeing and of course the process of this happening.

For encountering this show more properly, referring to an ancient narrative can be a way forward. It is known that Thomas wanted to see and touch Jesus' wounds in order to believe in him. After meeting Jesus, he believed in him and his God. A narrative that formed  Caravaggio's famous painting, entitled "The Doubting Thomas". 

"In Appreciation of Blinking" includes an installation of eight large-scale paintings by Hoda Kashiha placed vertically on bases behind each other. The installation of works is in a way that by entering the gallery, the front work and parts of the work behind can be seen at the same time. The works are in the center of the gallery's space. They start from one side of the gallery and lean to the other, making a hypothetical oblique line. The viewers can move from both sides and between the works and confront them. The all-inclusive lighting makes the gallery's space very bright and all of these eight pieces can be seen seamlessly.

In these works, we see small pieces of forms and narratives that are humorously put together in a colorful and euphoric atmosphere. They range from the story of Jesus' wounds (mentioned earlier) in the first piece to small images of eyes, lips, etc. and they gradually move into the darkness, in a way that by passing through each piece, part of the next one is covered with black color from above and slightly from the bottom. This continues to the point that in the last piece of the series, we come across nothing but darkness which suggests the same closed eyelids. The artist is trying to get the viewers into this process with her chosen installation. The whole set of "In Appreciation of Blinking" is visible from the very beginning. The audience faces the path and all of the works at the entrance and passes into the installation process by seeing and blinking.

"In Appreciation of Blinking" tries to meet the moment between seeing and not seeing. The artist defines the evocation of this moment between darkness and light and darkness finds a certain value for her.

Although darkness, in its simplest and most banal apparent meaning, reminds of the absence, here and in the act of blinking, every moment, darkness awaits the light to enter it and transform it. Opening and closing the eyelids is an act of going back and forth, an act that happens intermittently every moment. The way to exit Kashiha's painting installation is this very oscillating route. This time and on the way back, the darkness is placed as the first piece, and gradually by entering the light and opening the eyelids, the forms appear and become visible.

"In Appreciation of Blinking" recounts its issue by placing the audience on the way of this oscillating route and it tries to search in darkness, light, and color; the search between seeing and not seeing. A quest full of different and contradictory meanings, all of which are raised and faded at this liminal moment.

Photos of the show's installation: Matin Jame'ee.