Log Line
“A Pair of Cities” is a short video performance, accompanied by music, which took place in Tehran.
Synopsis
“A Pair of Cities” is a short video performance, enriched with music, performed in Tehran. The setup on the Darbast platform features screens on both sides of the hall. As the audience enters the hall and walks along a linear path, enclosed by bars and with a height difference from the ground, they are immersed in a unique experience. Countdowns start on both display screens, and as the audience positions itself on the central stage, they are presented with a flood of images that pass in front of and behind them.
Two screens are positioned in front of each other, allowing the audience to see only one of two images at a time. This deliberate setup ensures that, at any given moment, the audience can only watch half of the video performance. Consequently, the viewers are prompted to fill in the gaps with their own dreams or nightmares, as they are aware they have witnessed only half of the story. This creates a sense of curiosity and invites them to watch the other side they missed.
“A Pair of Cities” is not just a video; it is a performance that heavily relies on the audience’s participation and perception. The viewers become active participants, editing the video live in their minds. It is a judgmental scene, encouraging the audience to move from being passive observers to engaged interpreters. The continuous inquisitive head movements of the audience from one side to the other mirror the agitation one experiences when faced with any form of catastrophe.
The video performance “A Pair of Cities” immediately confronts the audience with a collective experience of war, destruction, and calamity.
Director Statement
During my journey to Syria, after filming in Damascus, Aleppo, and Palmyra, I met an Afghan warrior who shared an insightful perspective: “Each image only shows one side of the story. To have an all-inclusive picture, one must see both sides.” This encounter deeply affected me, and my goal with this video performance is to evoke a similar feeling in the audience, encouraging them to reconsider the need for a broader perspective.
Artistic & Technical Crew
- Director: MAHAN KHOMAMIPOUR
- Producer: MAHAN KHOMAMIPOUR – ZAKARIA ZARGANI
- Production Manager: ZAKARIA ZARGANI
- Director of Photography (D.O.P): MAHAN KHOMAMIPOUR – PALIZ KHOSHDEL
- Editor: MAHAN KHOMAMIPOUR
- Set and Costume Designer: SAEED MENHAJ
- Music: HAMID MENHAJ
- Production Managers: NASSIR NABHANIAN – AMIN YAZDANI
- Colorist: PALIZ KHOSHDEL
- Credits: ZAKARIA ZARGANI
