When Laleh Khorramian talks about the creation of her work, she describes the process almost as if she is a bystander.
Bright, colourful and bold, the figures that populate her artworks are like characters in a story. In the case of her latest show, at the The Third Line gallery in Dubai, the tale is more like a sci-fi novel, considering the features of these characters: oversized heads, pointed ears, multiple limbs.
“My characters devise themselves,” says Khorramian. “They come from a different place and in this case, I am presenting them in their own world.”
That world is strange, simultaneously ancient and futuristic — and walking into the exhibition is like entering another dimension.
On the wall are several monotype prints from a series Khorramian calls Aliens. They are made by putting paint and other materials, such as rock and stones, onto glass and then making a print.
Made with black paint, the portraits look charred and skeletal. The results were so surprising to the artist that she cried for two days.
“I thought they were self portraits and they were so ugly that I was scared that this is what was in my subconscious,” she says.
“After a few days, I wondered whether they are actually very beautiful and it is just my perception that sees them as ugly.”
The other pieces in the exhibition are much larger portraits made from collage, which are genderless and raceless. Khorramian calls them Guardians.
In the centre of the exhibition are several larger-than-life kimono fabrics, set up on stands so that they represent headless figures. They are arranged in a loose circle, almost as if they are taking part in an ancient ritual.
The whole show is oddly intriguing and perplexing. It seems to have been executed freely, without too much conscious thinking, as a way of representing our own, at times bizarre, existence.
“I think in a way it is all about reflecting the absurdity of the human condition,” says Khorramian. “We all go through insecurities, we all go through being afraid of our demons and fear of failure and, for me, these figures are alive and they are open to interpretation.”
The show is titled Saturns Neckless. This is not a spelling mistake but a deliberate attempt to bring a touch of humour to the show.
“It is a play on words that is somehow evocative of the headless figures in my show but also light-hearted,” says Khorramian. “I didn’t want a heavy, meaningful title as we have enough of that in our daily lives. This is also supposed to be fun and free.”
Also on display are pieces on which Khorramian collaborated with Lisbon-based artist Mumtazz. They are bodysuits that take inspiration from ancient armature. Again, they seem to evoke another realm.
“The artist is a visionary creature in society and is connected to something beyond the earth itself,” says Khorramian. “Perhaps, this is where my characters belong.”
• Laleh Khorramian’s Saturns Neckless is at The Third Line until December 10. For more details, visit www.thethirdline.com
aseaman@thenational.ae
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And%20Just%20Like%20That...
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Vikram%20Vedha
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Company%20Profile
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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ELECTION%20RESULTS
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
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The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town