Farsh-e-Parandeh (Flying Carpet): An Animated, Mandalic Projected Carpet
Farsh-e-Parandeh (Flying Carpet) is an interactive exhibition of projection-based animation inspired by 19th century optical toys, Persian carpet patterns, and Attar's The Conference of the Birds (1177). The exhibition featured nine artworks and is associated with the PhD thesis Farsh-e-Parandeh: Animated Mandalic Carpet Projection: Exploring the Links between Proto-Animation Techniques in Persian Traditional Arts and the Foundation of Animation and Cinema.
History
ERA Category
- Original Creative Work - Visual Art
Funding type
- Private funds
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
Research Statement
Research Background: Synergies between the arts of carpet design and animation fostered the creation of an animated aerial-projected installation Farsh-e-Parandeh, roughly translated as ‘Flying Carpet’. It is a moving-image version of a traditional Persian carpet that takes renowned philosopher Attar’s Conference of the Birds (1177) as a reference point into the mandalic structures of Persian and Sufi mystical stories, exploring interconnections between the concept of mandalas and rhythmic cyclic structures and nineteenth century optical toys. Farsh-e-Parandeh challenges moving-image production as a necessarily two-dimensional linear projection, and instead constructs an immersive, holistic engagement based on cyclic patterned arrangements that harken back to nineteenth century moving image forms. Research Contribution: Farsh-e-Parandeh expresses a neoclassical approach by re-visiting Persian traditional arts and stories, re-inventing devices such as the phenakistoscope, camera obscura and magic lantern, and by reviewing the rectilinear history of cinema, it visualises an understanding of how cinema would appear today if it had continued to develop along the circular and cyclic structure of its beginnings. Research Significance: Initially exhibited at the Sound Stage of Griffith Film School, with live music and Sufi dance performances it represented the ‘seven arts’ in one project. Further exhibited in Malaysia’s George Town Festival and screened in the ASIFA world exchange for International Animation Day 2018. Conference papers detailing the making of this project presented in the European Network of Cinema and Media Studies 2021, and the 31st Society for Animation Studies, where it was reviewed as a conference highlight. Farsh-e-Parandeh’s thesis abstract is selected by “Leonardo” where research topics at the intersection of the arts, sciences and technology are archived/collected.Place of publication
Brisbane, AustraliaPublisher URL
Confidential / Culturally sensitive
- No
Medium
AnimationDate of recording
2018-02-12Duration of performance
Half an hourPerformance size
- Solo
Estimated size of audience
More than 200 peopleWas the work disseminated?
- No
Did the work go on tour?
- No