Sky Within

Arezou Moeini’s Sky Within is a suspended sculptural installation crafted from laser-cut acrylic modules that form a three-dimensional abstraction of an ancient geometric pattern called Shamseh and Chalipa in the Persian language. Shamseh (meaning “little sun”) is an 8-point star motif that often symbolizes light as the unifying source of creation. Chalipa (meaning “cross”) typically symbolizes the continuous cycle of life. Together, these common motifs form a periodic pattern that appears in art and architecture across south and west Asia, Europe, and Egypt, and each culture has imbued it with a different set of meanings and interpretations. Throughout history, humanity has turned to the study of geometry to reflect on the order of the natural world and our place in it; Sky Within is Moeini’s engagement with this universal exercise.

Sky Within offers a contemporary interpretation of this ancient pattern through the use of modern materials and technology. Inspired by her studies on Iranian architecture and tilework, Moeini designed and constructed acrylic modules representing the Chalipa. The assembled Chalipa modules come together to reveal the shape of Shamseh in the negative spaces within the structure. The emergence of this form within the void represents the intangible dimensions of existence. The repetition of these alternating motifs creates a luminous crystalline structure, with the capacity for perpetual growth and transformation.

Each acrylic module is laminated with a simultaneously transparent and reflective prismatic film in order to visually mimic the characteristics of sunlight and maximize the interaction of the piece with ambient light. The colours of the piece change with the time of day and the position of the viewer, creating a dynamic experience that celebrates the diversity and potential that exist within the unified fabric of creation.

Moeini undertook this project during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the construction process continued through the subsequent period of civil protests in Iran and escalating sociopolitical division and turmoil across the world. This work enabled her to examine her feelings of isolation, personal loss, and uncertainty with a universal lens. She maintained a sense of connection, clarity, and resilience through the meditative process of studying and re-imagining these enduring and familiar motifs that have transcended geographic, cultural, and temporal boundaries to remind us of our shared origin and destiny.

Sky Within is an invitation for introspection and contemplation of the essential truths that unify all of creation. Moeini views this piece as an homage to humanity’s eternal struggle to make sense of existence.

More Pictures and Viewing Coming Soon. Stay tuned for specific on-site viewing dates and updates on the website and social media channels.