The Garden of Forking Paths

Sabrina Amrani is pleased to present The Garden of Forking Paths, the second solo exhibition by Timo Nasseri at the gallery.

Borrowing its title from the eponymous short story by Jorge Luis Borges, this exhibition delves into the profound ideas surrounding the Persian garden, a space celebrated not only for its intricate design but also for its rich cultural and symbolic heritage. These gardens serve as an enduring expression of cosmology, architecture, and sanctuary—recurring themes in Nasseri’s artistic practice. By drawing on the centuries-old significance of the Persian garden, Nasseri crafts an experience that encourages contemplation and reflects the interconnectedness of life.

Rooted in ancient traditions, Persian gardens embody the belief in a harmonious and balanced universe. Their traditional quadripartite layout represents the four corners of the world and the essential elements of nature: earth, water, fire, and air. Each section of the garden is designed with a purpose, echoing the divine order and the belief that nature is a representation of celestial harmony. The careful arrangement of plants, pathways, and water features is not merely aesthetic; it is an architectural expression of spiritual understanding, illustrating how human beings can create spaces that reflect the cosmos in their own size.

Nasseri’s work resonates with these ancient principles. Each element in the exhibition has been chosen with meticulous care, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility while inviting viewers to embark on a personal journey of introspection and connection with their inner selves. Laid out as both a Persian garden and a labyrinth, the exhibition is conceived as a journey of self-discovery. Here, viewers are encouraged to navigate through the artworks, allowing their thoughts to flow and leading them to deeper reflections on the nature of existence.

Nasseri’s new series of paintings titled "Interior Place” symbolically represent the geometrical center of the garden, mirroring the spiritual core within each individual. Executed with fundamental architectural elements—the cross, the circle, and the square—these paintings underscore the principles of symmetry and balance that define the Persian garden. Each shape carries its own connotations; the cross suggests intersection and choice, the circle symbolizes unity and eternity, while the square represents stability and order. Together, they create a meditative space that encourages viewers to engage with their own inward landscapes.

The exhibition unfolds within the inner sanctuary of the gallery, guiding visitors through a transformative experience. This architectural flow is designed to evoke the feeling of walking through a garden, enhancing a sense of exploration and discovery. The paintings from the series "Gates" beckon viewers to explore the various paths laid out before them, where the four distinct gates leading into the partitions of the exhibit symbolize thresholds of understanding. Each gate acts as an invitation to delve deeper into the themes presented, offering opportunities to reflect on one's own journey and the myriad choices that shape our identities.

In echoing Borges, Nasseri probes themes of infinity, identity, and interconnectedness, weaving a complex narrative that intertwines visual art with philosophical inquiry. The two drawings titled " I saw a broken Labyrinth L1" and " I saw a broken Labyrinth L2", created by delicately tracing convergent lines that intersect other convergent lines, reflect a symmetry that resonates with Borges’ ideas of the universe’s mirroring and boundlessness.

This notion of mirroring and infinity resonates powerfully in the work "I Talk to the Winds," which encapsulates the more poetic essence of the garden. Drawing from a deeply personal experience in a Tuscan forest, Nasseri recalls a moment when the wind began to blow, whispering secrets through the woods. Inspired by this encounter and a photograph he took at the time, he meticulously creates a watercolor drawing that mirrors and rotates the original image, resulting in an artwork that feels alive and dynamic. The act of creation becomes a dialogue between the artist and nature, reflecting how personal experiences can inform broader spiritual themes.

In direct dialogue with "I Talk to the Winds" and positioned opposite in the gallery space, the mesmerizing video installation "A Little Wind Cleans the Eyes" presents an abstract animation which is a living ornament, it is a prayer, or the breath of the Earth. The caleodoscopic animation, with its pulsating rythm, invites viewers to experience the garden’s beauty and mystery in an immersive and meditative way, allowing the whispers of nature to resonate within their own experiences.

As the exhibition culminates, it also marks a new beginning. The paintings "PrimOrbitary" and "The Garden of Forking Paths", which are placed at the entrance and at the end of the show, serve as architectural interpretations of the Persian garden. These works invite viewers to engage deeply with their own paths of reflection, emphasizing the importance of both the journey and the destination.

Through this diverse body of work, Timo Nasseri encourages us to explore the intricate connections between nature, self, and the cosmos, ultimately inviting a more profound understanding of our place within the universe.