Sealed the Concealed, Sculpture/Installation, Vary Sizes (9"x9"x30-36"), Mixed Media (Wood, Steel, Aluminum, Bronze, ...), 2013-2015.

  2013 to 2015,  a series of wooden and metal works titled Sealed the Concealed. Their shapes are driven from a traditional Iranian ritualistic object that has been used for more than one thousand and five hundred years. The “Meel” is one of the objects that is being used in Zoorkhaneh (House of Power) which is a traditional place that Iranians attend to practice the Pahlevani rituals. The Meel is a big wooden club that is used to be lifted and swung in  rhythmic movements with traditional drum based music. It is believed that after Persian Empire was captured by Muslims 1400 years ago, Iranians were forbidden to practice any activities involving weapons. They changed the Pahlevani ritual into an underground activity in a specific type of architectural space. They stylized weapons into different objects to be able to twist the sanctions and keep this ritual, their culture and the ability of fighting back when it was needed. However after a while, Islam was embraced in Iran and even Islamic saints names started to be printed on the Meel. This object became a symbol, an idea and not just a practical tool. 

I add elements to their handles while the handles are being deformed to lose their purpose of being held. These elements are varying forms like knives that cannot be held from the blade or combination of blades.
These objects are the de-weaponized the de-weaponized.