Ali Dadgar

Radiant States: Reflections on Solidarity

th floor gallery

RADIANT STATES: Reflections on Solidarity
by Ali Dadgar

 A global audience is mesmerized by electronic images of protesters standing weaponless in front of an armed military, and is itself bathed in the radiant and penetrating light of solidarity that connects us with both neighbor and casual acquaintance on the street, as though rooting for a common team in a big match.  The experience of solidarity is exciting, romantic. Months later we are left with the troublingly singular experience of somberly observing the elation morph into an agonizing and ongoing struggle throughout North Africa and the Middle East.  In this exhibit, a multi-disciplinary collage of painting, signage, and video, Ali Dadgar explores the iconography, emotion and politics of solidarity.