In its mystical context, Ghabz o Bast refers to the polarities that exist in our emotional relationship to our highest/non-material <GOD> self, where connection, expansion, and bliss can be experienced, just as much as loss, confusion, and despair.
In the Farsi language, GHABZ means CONTRACTION, and BAST means EXPANSION.
Two boxes face each other. One is a dark void, while the other is reflective and bright. They both provide isolation for a time of solitary confinement.
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Literary references:
*Ideals and Realities of Islam by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
*Essential Sufism by James Fadiman and Robert Frager
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"Lost&Found" was nominated for The Jameel Prize at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2013.
For the 10 days proceeding the opening of the show at AUN Gallery (Tehran), I sat behind one of the boxes during gallery hours. I welcomed anyone who wished to come and sit with me. This led to a number of meetings, where my guests and I shared some tea and cookies, and engaged in the conversations that emerged from our time together. At times, I used my Osho tarot deck as a conversation starter. Eventually larger groups came. Sometimes they asked to pull a card, sometimes they brought some text or a letter to share with me; sometimes we talked about random things, and sometimes we just sat in silence.
The isolation boxes were created in collaboration with Jeff Burris at Studio 12 Architecture in San Francisco.
http://www.studio12arch.com/