Siah Armajani: 1956 – 1976

Rossi & Rossi is pleased to present in our viewing room a survey of Siah Armajani’s works from 1957 to 1976. His sculptures, drawings and public works exist between the boundaries of art and architecture, informed by democratic and populist ideals. Armajani is recognized as a leading figure in the conceptualization of the role and function of public art, with nearly one hundred projects realized internationally since the 1960s.

Starting from the 1950s, Armajani created a series of Persian-miniature inspired works on paper and canvas. These are his early probe into the social, political and cultural psyche of his home city of Tehran during the tumultuous years that eventually led to the exile of the Shah.

After moving to the United States in 1960, the artist started exploring the frontiers of technological advancement and machine-age modernity. This is manifest in his works from this period utilizing computer programming and dot-matrix printouts.

Meanwhile, American vernacular architecture has been a consistent motif in Amajani’s practice. In the artist’s words, “My intention is to build open, available, useful, common, public gathering places – gathering places that are neighbourly”. Such concern takes form in his public artworks and architectural models of bridges, houses, gazebos and reading room.

Alongside the presentation of Siah Armajani we are extending the current exhibition of Rasheed Araeen,  Going East, Again, until 30 May.