Riar Rizaldi's Mirage Project Explores Quantum Physics and Tropical Sufism Through Film

Riar Rizaldi, an Indonesian artist, presents his Mirage project, conceived during a residency at CERN in 2022, which delves into the realms of quantum physics and mysticism. The inaugural film, Mirage – Metanoia (Prelude) (2023), showcases discussions among cosmologists about Tropical Sufi-Atomism, set 4000 years after the 'Fansurian Atomist Revolution' and alluding to the Sufi poet Hamzah Fansuri. Influenced by his proximity to Mount Merapi, Rizaldi created the 2023 film Monisme and the 2022 short Pyroclasts Are Eloquent Storytellers. The forthcoming Mirage: Eigenstate (2024) will blend quantum mechanics with Sufi mysticism. His previous works include Kasiterit (2019), featuring an AI named Natasha, and Ghost Like Us (2020), addressing Indonesia's New Order regime. Mirage is on display at Gasworks in London until 22 December 2024, with further exhibitions at Leeum Museum, Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, and Van Abbemuseum.