Running time: 44 mins
The program juxtaposes dark humor with visual and textual poetry, using water as a metaphor. It takes us on a journey towards Marseille, a city on the Mediterranean, where words sometimes become heavy when soaked in water and sink into the deep sea. Some words, however, float like bubbles, making us think and smile, while others simply move along before our eyes. Meanwhile, we witness the environment changing rapidly and our world rolling into an irreversible state of catastrophe.
Water was a rare and sacred resource in ancient Persia, and as such, the Persian language is rich in proverbs, sayings, and stories that deal with it. Natural springs, underground water reservoirs, seas, lakes, and oceans characterized the region’s geography. The program’s works are connected to the Kariz (Qanat) system, used to transport underground water in ancient and modern Iran before the current water crisis. These different-looking visual journeys, real and abstract, are somehow interconnected. Although it may not be apparent to the naked eye, a familiar pattern may emerge from a bird’s eye view.
“Kariz, Dark, Wet, and Moving” is an exhibition that showcases animation, video, and experimental films. These artworks were carefully selected from the joint archive of the Limited Access Festival and Parking Video Library. The exhibition also features a few new pieces connecting Iran and France, created by Iranian artists during their residencies.