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Journey Across Russia: Swimming Against the Tides
Ahmad Nadalian
http://www.riverart.net/russia
Thanks
to Oleg Buryan, Antony Malolin, Marina Moiseenko, Elena
Malozyomova, Alexander Eremina, Nikolay Petrov, Simona
Ermina, Yaroslav Misonzhnikov, Maria Aprasidi, Marina Tsay,
Nikita Timoshenko and Nastia Titova.
A
German philosopher said: "The fish that flow the tide is death"
 A
My fish
swim against the tides, and they are alive.
They cross
borders. I am artist and for me it is important to expand my art beyond
space and time.
The border
where I live cannot define me. I am trying to define my personal border
myself.
I desire to be like flowing water.
Still water
has a bad smell, and flowing water tends to be purer and is cleaner.
***
In
September of 2009 I traveled to Russia and was able to meet people and
perform a collection of environmental art projects in several regions of
this vast country.
During the
flight to Moscow I saw the Volga River, which is one of the longest
rivers of Europe.
The name of
Moscow itself is derived from the name of a river. My fish enjoy
swimming in a new territory.
Russian
artist Oleg Buryan helped me to find my way. He welcomed my arrival,
showed me Moscow, its biennial and told me all I needed about history,
life and present situation of this environmentally rich but challenged
country.
In this
world everywhere I see new landscape, new perspective...
My new frog
also jumped into the water of a pool.
Cherta River
At this
location, I installed some fish in the river and carved three fish on
the rocks by a holy spring. For me these tree fish, were a
reference to the Miracle of Jesus
In Moscow
Antony Malolin and Marina Moiseenko accompanied me, and we visited
several museums and exhibitions.
I continued
my journey to the north and in St Petersburg, where I met artist
Alexander Eremina, his sister, and their friends.
Russian
artist, Simona Ermina accompanied me and suggested some location for my
environmental art.
I gave one
of my carved stones with the image of a fish to Simona.
She
promised to install this fish on the frozen river of Nava in winter.
I have
already done this project in Finland. It is very exiting to imagine that
this spring, when the ice melts, my fish will carry my memory to the
bottom of Finlands Gulf.
In my
environmental art, I always try to involve local artists, and I am happy
that the order of universe and changing seasons will complete the
process of my art.
In St.
Petersburg I visited The Hermitage Museum. Beside visiting arts of
different nations, I studied the holiness of the female figures in the
art of ancient Persia. There I met Elena Malozyomova. She is very kind
scholar who sent me some images that I needed.
One night
Simona Ermina invited me to an art event. There I painted faces.
Nikolay
Petrov accompanied me we went toward to North St. Petersburg, near the
border of Finland. There I carved my designs on large stones and rocks.
My
hammer and Russian sickle.
During my journey and on many occasions I saw this Soviet logo on the
buildings.
I extended
my journey towards the north of Russia, and I dropped more fish.
Nastia
Titova is from Murmansk, the most northeast part of Russia.
When I came
back to St. Petersburg, I installed and dropped fish on a little island
in the middle of the Neva River.
Young
artist Yaroslav Misonzhnikov come there and assisted me. Very
soon his friends joined us.
Yaroslav Misonzhnikov, Maria Aprasidi, Marina Tsay,
Nikita Timoshenko
We had
wonderful day. After I finished my work, we had launch. We also visited
the city and Russian museum. Finally they took me to the local Academy
of Art. They were very kind to me, and at the end of day I said
good-bye
This was
the last day of my stay in St. Petersburg.
I went to a
supermarket. When I wanted to pay, my purse (all of my money) was
stolen.
I ask the manager of the supermarket to review
the security camera. The one who rubbed me was a girl who was wearing
boots.
While on the street I decided to take photos of
all girls who were wearing boots. This was all I could do. The
same night I come back Moscow.
Fortunately I had
my passport, ticket and I have already had already paid for my accommodation in
Moscow. During the last three days of my trip, I had no money to pay for meals,
nevertheless I continued my works.
In
nature I saw a pigeon that was dead and more pigeon that alive
I
carved a bird on a stone. I ask Oleg to suggest a nest for this bird
in the nature of Russia.
I
have already sent birds to USA and UK
I
told the story of my stolen money to Oleg. He referred to this saying of
Kazanowa (17-18 Century) who said: If you are invited by the Czar (king)
to Russia, you are well paid for everything. If you take a risk to come by
yourself, be ready for troubles.
I travel to most
countries across the globe after invitation, though I decided travel to Russia
by myself.
I had
good reason. How I can be land artist and not
see the largest country who is a neighbor?
It doesn't matter what can be the cost and risk
of a journey. It is important that I am trying to suggest a better
world. We always can find solutions.
I collect some coins on a rock in forest and near
a Church in Moscow and could buy bread.
What can be difficulties; can also be a ladder
for more progress and good memory.
Now I am happy that I could use this story to
make a new art project.
When I returned home some coins were left. I made
art works to remember my time in Russia. I know that my art and my life
are truly linked together.
The death of goddesses
Ahmad Nadalian
http://www.riverart.net/notes/goddess/
Earth can be fertilised and that is why primitive people often
symbolised earth or water as female phenomena. In the north of
Iran , traditionally only women cultivate rice. By their
essence, women know fertility better than men. Primitive
man believed that the spoiling of earth could be regarded as
abuse of trust or incest.
North of Iran, women cultivating rice
In
ancient Persia , people had temples for water and worshiped the
Goddess of Fertility, who them named ANAHITA or NAHID. It
was believed that She is the source of all waters upon the
earth, fertility, purifying, and the seed of all males.
In
Iran we may find natural rocks that people use to symbolise the
female goddess.
As
an example, here you can see a natural rock. But local people
believe that it shows a goddess. They also believe that water
flows from her navel. She is the source of water and life.
Apart from this prehistoric example, we may find temples and
buildings from pre-Islamic times that were places for worshiping
this goddess.
There is evidence that the cult of worshiping goddess of water
existed in my village Polour. The people built a castle
near the springs and worshiped water.
Unfortunately due to construction of some factories for mineral
water, most of springs in Polour have been destroyed. They
ignore the rights of ordinary people and living creatures who
live there and need water too.
I
am very sad that in Iran, the organisation that is in charge of
these affairs legitimised this demolition of nature and historic
sites.
As
a reaction before and during
the process of this demolition, I installed and hide some of my
goddesses near the castle. I also carved my fish on the natural
rocks.
This is
unfair battle. I only use a hammer and chisel which is made by the
recycling of a machine's peace. But those who do not respect nature use
huge machines and so they destroy nature and my art-works very quickly.
The
death of my Goddess
One
may ask why I perform or install my artwork in these locations?
In many occasions the lovers of nature asked me to do so. I
believe that environmental art can be a solution for protection
of nature and cultural heritage.
The
survival of my artworks depend on the survival of nature.
I was aware that these works would eventually be destroyed, but
if those who by ignoring nature, destroy it, then I have good
reason to shout this fact.
Recently I finished this goddess
My wife and my goddess
More:
http://www.riverart.net/notes/goddess/
Pleasure of New life
Next
week (22 September) I will travel to Russia and I will drop my
fish into rivers.
As a ritual, I have dropped my
carved stones into rivers, canals, reservoirs and seas.
Playing host for the past decade, these bodies of water the
world over now hold a surplus of imaginary fish and other
creatures. The purpose of this tradition results in the
ultimate goal of dedicating my fish to all humanity. In
documenting the physical process of releasing the fish into
water, I came upon a new horizon: how water accepts and effects
the art. The shapes created by the splash of a stone
breaking the water's surface are amazing, thus, it may be
considered a "water scuplture".
http://www.riverart.net/newlife
Most of my fish remain at the basin
forever. However, I do not believe that hiding translates
to degeneration and death. In fact, they are alive and
will live a secret life to be reincarnated again one day.
Born in the stream of my village,
they want to swim in the waters of the globe. I would love
to be as a fish, moving from one corner of the world to another
without worry or strife. It is a fact that fish live with
more ease than some humans do; fish do not recognize borders.
Who
can grasp the meaning of my fish?
A friend
told me that your fish will never die. If the waters of
the entire world dries, your fish will be resurrected and enjoy
their life.
Dialogue with contemporary Artists and History
Ahmad Nadalian
http://www.riverart.net/notes/dialogues2/
Art
is not
only an
individual action, but rather it can be a dialogue of past peoples
with us, our dialogue with people in the present time, and also with
people in the future. We take something from one group and pass it
on to others.
In
my artistic life, my ethnic and cultural background, what I have
been educated and teach, my journeys, the people whom I meet, my
dialogues and notes are not only shaped by my art, but play an
important role in my character.
In the
past few months I have received e-mails from people who say they are
inspired by my works. I am so impressed how they respect copyright. What
I have learnt is that we need to promote this tradition. That is
why the same question arose in my mind: where did I learn my art? Who
are the people who have been inspired by my work?
In this
note I will present some e-mails and notes by other people who say they
inspire by me and finally I will present the references and sources of
my artworks.
More
www.riverart.net/notes/dialouges2
Fire:
23rd Environmental Art Festival in
Iran - Paradise Environmental Art Center
Report
by Ahmad Nadalian
http://www.wwwebart.com/riverart/paradise/festivals/23/
Photo: Somayeh Zamani
Introduction
Environmental art in
Iran is perceived and depicted as a multi-layered phenomenon.
Macrocosmic and microcosmic aspects of the universe are reflected in
this art form. Human beings have heavenly wishes and dreams,
nevertheless, we can also be prisoners of our earthly desires.
Heaven and earth meet in the human body .
We have a desire to
perceive heaven. But without seeing what is very near, we cannot see
far. On a smoky earth, we cannot see heaven.
More
***
The environmental art festivals held in Polour, Iran
often deal with the natural elements of water, earth, air, and fire. The
human body consists of natural elements. Last year during the
18th
Environmental Art Festival
of Summer 2008, we realized a collaborative project named, "Paradise
& Hell". The fire of "hell" was to purify our "bad deeds"
Once again Iranian
environmental artists gathered near Damawand volcanic mountain. This
time we had quite a few Azari artists participating. 'Azar' means
fire, and it is the name for the people of the Azarbayjan
province in Iran. Iranian has good tide with fire.
The human body
consists of different elements. Man's body recognizes warmth and cold.
Elements such as water, earth, air and light fertilize the tree of
a human's life.
The meeting of fire and statues
made by the earth make them solid and eternal, but the meeting of wood
with fire results in non-existence.
In the shadow of an apple tree, we
used the branches of the tree of life and shaped our bodies.
It was a window to myths, history, nature,
life, and the art of being alive.
 I did not know if it
was the day of creation, restoration, or judgment?
The first men and women
were there
They stood firm
 Seven bodies aviated
fire
Photo: Raheleh
Zomorodinia
They burned. The result
of fire in their bodies was the enlightenment of truth
Heavenly pain and
earthly wound
 The warmth and
illumination of fire surrounded the entirety of our bodies
The warmth and
illumination of fire surrounded the entirety of our bodies
I recalled that once we
were green
Photo: Raheleh
Zomorodinia
We were by fire and light for the whole
night
We witnessed the
rebirth of sunlight during the next morning
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