Born 1939 in Tehran

1939年生於德黑蘭

Tomb for Heidegger
2012
175.2 x 142.2 x 254 cm
Mixed media

Spanning social, cultural, economic, and philosophical considerations, sculptor Siah Armajani was inspired by democratic ideals and values, as well as the civic and the everyday. Since his passing in 2020, the enduring influence of his work with public space continues to be felt, as demonstrated by his inclusion in Encounters with this work, Tomb for Heidegger. As part of a larger series initiated by the artist in 1972, this is less a literal place of rest and more an elegiac monument. It remembers what has been lost, paying homage to philosopher Martin Heidegger, whose 1954 essay ‘Building Dwelling Thinking’ inspired the artist to explore the concept of the bridge. In his writings, Heidegger conceives of the bridge not only as a maker of place, but also a creator of neighbourhood by uniting two divided places. The artist used this ideology throughout his career to embody multiplicity and question notions of difference and distance, understanding the need and difficulty of connecting between cultures, classes, and generations. This work is more intimate in scale than many works seen in the artist’s oeuvre, and speaks to the profound impact of holding space, whether small or vast. Through this work, the artist insinuates that what lies within is never truly known; we can never truly know what is.

Siah Armajani’s sculptures, drawings and public works exist between the boundaries of art and architecture, informed by democratic and populist ideals. He is recognized as a leading figure in the conceptualization of the role and function of public art, with nearly one hundred projects realized internationally since the 1960s.

《海德格之墓》
2012
175.2 x 142.2 x 254 厘米
混合物料