âtar — lola sementsova exhibition
20 TH > 24TH JANUARY 2022 I BELAS-ARTES GALLERY
Opening: 20th January, 5PM
Schedule: 21st and 24th january, 12PM-7PM.
ĀTAR in Persian mythology is a concept of the holy fire, sometimes described in abstract terms as “burning and un-burning fire” or “visible and invisible fire”. This duality between its visible aspect – as a tool of survival for the human race, a source of light and warmth; and its invisible, ritualistic aspect – the sacred fire and the representation of god in various traditional cultures around the world became a powerful inspiration for the current artwork. Art installation ‘ĀTAR’ is an attempt to create a sacred space where fire exists in its multiple meanings and forms; it is also an invitation for a cross-religious dialog between various confessions and spiritual beliefs that seem to have more in common than we are used to think. This installation is a result of the incredible journey the artist took within the past 2 years of VICARTE Master’s program through the research of fire-based rituals and traditions, as well as practical work with ceramics, using open fire and smoke.