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Join artist, Soheila Esfahani, in creating the next version in her ongoing Cultured Pallets series.
As part of Esfahani’s ongoing Cultured Pallets series, this drop-in workshop invites the public to participate in stencilling the stacks of pallets in the lobby at Cambridge Art Galleries, Idea Exchange - Queen's Square on Sunday November 27th, 1:30-4:00 pm. The stencilled design is based on a floral motif inspired by one of William Morris’ designs entitled “Persian”. This design is simultaneously specific yet ambiguous: a subtle nod to Esfahani’s cultural roots contextualized within Morris’ infamous and familiar floral designs. The design also connects back to the textile industry in Cambridge.
Inspired by Esfahani’s experience of living in both Western (Canadian) and Eastern (Iranian) cultures, her work focuses on the concept of cultural translation and uses shipping pallets to embody and facilitate the act of cultural translation. These transient installations emerge from ongoing process of marking shipping pallets with various designs and ornamentation and a hashtag. After exhibiting the work, the pallets return to circulation and can be tracked by engaging in correspondence through social media with those who find them.
Returning to the etymological roots of translation as “carrying or bringing across,” the Cultured Pallets series explores the concept of cultural translation as the act of “carrying or bringing across” units of culture. In these installations, the decorated pallets metaphorically serve as objects of holding: “bearers of culture” that continuously circulate across peoples and cultures. As a result, Esfahani’s installation also evokes issues of migration as people, ultimately, function as “bearers” and “translators” of culture in our current globalized state.
This workshop is part of Soheila Esfahani's solo exhibition, Been T[here], on view at Preston gallery December 17, 2022 - March 5, 2023.
All are welcome to attend.
Cost: Free
The Queen's Square location is a public library and art gallery. This location features a grand piano for music performances, multiple study and reading areas, and a large children’s department.
Be inspired at Idea Exchange in Cambridge! Connect with the public libraries and public art galleries of Cambridge. Idea Exchange supports and inspires our community with an environment of discovery for people of all ages.
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