Mamali Shafahi Bridges Virtual and Real in Hybrid Art Practice

Mamali Shafahi, a post-internet artist, explores the intersection of technology and art through installations, VR, AI, and 3D-printed sculptures. He uses UV light to alter perception and creates hybrid creatures from ancient cultures and mythology. His film 'Nature Morte' (2014–17) stars his parents as digital characters, highlighting shifts in how life is perceived. With VR partner Ali Eslami, he developed 'Nerd_Funk', a five-episode VR project examining collective identity, body extensions, rave culture, and digital influencers. Shafahi cites Jon Rafman's 2016 Frieze London installation as influential. He emphasizes the need to balance future-oriented thinking with historical roots, drawing from Persian, Indian, Chinese, and Mexican traditions. His work critiques the acceleration of information and disconnection from tradition.