Superposition – 2023-24
One of the most intriguing concepts in quantum mechanics is Schrödinger’s cat. It is a thought experiment that highlights the strange and paradoxical nature of a concept called quantum superposition. So it goes that if you seal a cat in a box with something that can eventually kill it, you will not know if the cat is dead or alive until you open the box. So, until you open the box and observe the cat, the cat is simultaneously dead and alive. Or in another term the cat is in a superposition.
The blindfolded figures in my new series happen to also ensnared by the concept of superposition. They exist in a state of ambiguity and multiple possibilities. Just as the cat is suspended in a state of uncertainty, unaware of its own fate, the blindfolded figures dance and laugh with an exuberance that defies their predicament.
Holy domesticated – 2021 – Azad Art Gallery
Later in his next series Holy Domesticated, he tackles a decade long obsession with early renaissance art, probing the very essence of holiness within both Eastern and Western traditions of painting and culture.Within his works, Bayat addresses complex dilemmas, such as the thought-provoking question: “One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.” By presenting such dilemmas, Bayat encourages viewers to question the underlying constructs of perception and judgment.
Bayat’s thought-provoking art delves into identity, surveillance, holiness, and how people interpret things differently. He challenges viewers to rethink their ideas and consider the various aspects of culture and ideology. His artwork inspires self-reflection and connects art with society and personal introspection.
The unforgiving nature of markers on paper introduces an element of risk and vulnerability to the creative process. Once the marks are made on the paper, there is no turning back, emphasizing the irreversible commitment to the lives the figures in his series embody.
Domesticated – 2016 – Dastan Gallery
In his Domesticated series, he also tackles identity concealment and anonymity in the age of mass surveillance and facial recognition. figures shroud their identities, cloaked under the intense illumination, while their eyes bear a palpable sense of paranoia and anticipation, transfixed on the world beyond the frame, hinting at an imminent and foreboding event. These creations surpass the boundaries of mere aesthetics, becoming a voice for those whose identities are overshadowed by societal prejudices and the omnipresence of surveillance. In his works, he challenges viewers to confront their own perceptions, biases, and the power dynamics entrenched within contemporary systems of control.
Monkeys – 2014 – Dastan’s Basement
Lohrasb Bayat’s first solo show at Dastan’s Basement.