Description

MA Interior and Spatial Design (2011)
Chelsea College of Art and Design

BA Architecture (2008)
Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction

SCREENS OF SOCIETY AND SPACE

Mankind has witnessed variable forms and degrees of social segregation at different geographical locations and eras. As a Middle East artist, I wanted to show my criticism of the issue of gender divisions and limitations in society, and highlight the need for breaking the boundaries within both architectural designs and societies.

I looked critically at the issue of screens in architectural and metaphoric realms. Whilst screens can be viewed as positive utilitarian objects in space, for instance as a functional or decorative divider screen within interior space, from my personal observations they are hugely used as barriers between people, especially between genders and physically define boundaries in space, they also have metaphoric presence in individual, domestic, and social life.

My project aimed to develop architectural screens that reflected divisions and barriers within societies. I set out to make screen models using different materials such as metal, wood, and fabric, embedded in wax. The process of melting the wax in all models, was aimed to symbolise the possibility of breaking manmade boundaries and divisions. Each model had its own symbolic meaning in society, and was an evolution of the previous model. In the next stage I experimented with screens in a manner that segregated people in a public place, allowing the participants, the opportunity to experience gender segregation, and raise awareness of this personally important issue. Along with full scale installations of screen dividers, I used photography, photo montage, video making, and performance to represent my idea.