THE LOST & THE LAST

Mirroring Firouz FarmanFarmaian’s earlier filmpoems* THE LOST & THE LAST layers repurposed sourced images over dedicated music and poetry delivering rhythmic abstract constructs that invite the viewer into a multi-sensory experience, blending sound and image in a harmonious dance. Deriving its filmographic imagery from the mythical 1925 silent documentary “Grass: A Nation’s Battle for Life” – which follows the Bakhtiari nomadic tribe in Persia as they embark on their seasonal journey from Anatolia to Khuzestan –
FarmanFarmaian bridges past to present, transforming archival filmography through a process of layered re-projections involving paint, sound and poetry.

Originally part of the Nomads of Persia installation (Salomon Arts Gallery NYC 2024 ), the film explores interplays between historical narratives and contemporary artistic expression aiming to deepen the viewer’s connection to themes of migration and identity, inviting them to reflect on the enduring legacies of nomadic cultures. The soundscape produced by the artists musical ensemble FORRM, weaves an intricate auditory layer that complements the visual narrative.

* SHIMMER 16:58′, 2022 Gates of Turan installation for the Kyrgyz Pavilion / the 59th Biennale di Venezia.

Categories: Music Video