Sama Alshaibi's 'طرس' Reimagines Baghdad at Ayyam Gallery
Ayyam Gallery presents 'طرس' (TTERSS), a solo exhibition by Iraqi-American artist Sama Alshaibi featuring mixed-media collages and video art that reimagine Baghdad's transformation. After a 40-year separation, Alshaibi returned to Iraq on multiple trips between 2021 and 2023, using LiDAR technology to scan the urban landscape and building an extensive repository of factual measurements. The works layer political, historical, and perceptual imprints, drawing from the archives of architect Rifat Chadirji and Andreas Huyssen's writings on 'miniatures' of urban reality. The Arabic title evokes a palimpsest, reflecting Baghdad's complex and fragmented narrative. Alshaibi interweaves engraved historical memory with the city's ongoing modernization, emphasizing tensions in the aftermath of war. The exhibition runs at Ayyam Gallery, with the press release issued by Shyam Gallery.
Key facts
- Sama Alshaibi's solo exhibition 'طرس' (TTERSS) is at Ayyam Gallery.
- The exhibition features mixed-media collages and video art.
- Alshaibi returned to Iraq on multiple trips between 2021 and 2023 after a 40-year separation.
- She used LiDAR technology to scan Baghdad's urban landscape.
- The works draw from the archives of Iraqi architect Rifat Chadirji.
- Andreas Huyssen's writings on 'miniatures' of urban reality inspired the project.
- The Arabic title 'طرس' means palimpsest.
- The press release was issued by Shyam Gallery.
Entities
Artists
- Sama Alshaibi
- Rifat Chadirji
- Andreas Huyssen
Institutions
- Ayyam Gallery
- Shyam Gallery
Locations
- Baghdad
- Iraq