Laleh Khorramian.

Water Panics in the Sea

Date: 2011
Length: 14:00 min.
Format: 16:9
Specifications: Colour, Sound, Single Channel
Courtesy the artist

With subtle animation techniques, Laleh Khorramian leads the viewer into a surreal, fantasy world of waves, cliffs and grottos. One finds oneself on the deck of a ship, looks towards the horizon, can make out icebergs and then dives down to the seabed, which is inhabited by dream creatures. Recurring motifs surface from this sea of colour; a ship, stylised people, a female figure. They give this abstract work as much its own vocabulary as do the sequences of images depicting water in various physical states – as glittering waves, as a frozen, viscous mass, or as spray. Colours cycling between blue and red create a hypnotic effect and intensify the viewing experience. Laleh Khorramian works with liquid colours, applying them to glass sheets. The way in which they run and the style in which she wields her brush lend them their own language and create an exciting collage on the theme of water and sea. The source of its title, and a commentary on the work, is the poem “Water panics in the sea” by Mumtazz and Antonio Poppe, which follows at the end of the work.

Rieke Kreitz

Interview:

► 1. Your work has been chosen among over 2000 festival entries to participate in VIDEONALE.14. In which context do you prefer to present your work, festival/cinema context or exhibition?  And what kind of difference does the respective mode of presentation mean for you / your work?

I think both are great ways to present the work. Festivals tends to have a more diverse audience. where the exhibition allows for more play with the surrounding. I like to have a comfortable environment. sitting through a video standing isn't pleasant. And since audio is a major component, I think cinematic presentation, dark spaces with high quality audio is best for that immersion.

► 2. Art can be seen as a mirror that registers and reflects life or as a tool that transforms it. Is there a particular theme, concept or problem your art addresses the most?

I like an epic story, created on an absurdly small scale. One that can address many themes of human  connectedness and relationships, that also creates a framework for visions of ones own. Ones that touch on the invisible but familiar and access deeper layers of the subconscious and emotions. i like to be being able to play a part in the story by digging through my painted images for the unexpected and re imagine moments of past or future.

► 3. In which way is the video medium an excellent possibility to express your intended subjects, especially in contrast to other media you use? Or do you work exclusively with video?

I work primarily with paint and ink. Since I digitally scan and magnify the paint, video has been excellent for technical modifications of scale, juxtaposing layers and messing with time. I work with editing similarly to how I'd work on a large collage.

► 4. If you have the chance to ask the visitors of the VIDEONALE.14 exhibition questions about your own work, what would be your question?

Did you have enough to eat before you sat through the movie?