This edition of the gallery examines the works of artist Abbas Akhavan from various critical perspectives that delineate between capitalist processes of production and social interventions while examining the role of architecture and space in shaping an artwork’s impact on audiences. Dina Ibrahim’s essay departs from where the previous virtual gallery landed – the use of architecture in contemporary art – and investigates the performative elements in Akhavan’s work resulting from his incorporation of architecture, which operates to highlight various social and economic conditions. Shumon Basar’s article takes the economic aspect and capitalizes on it while Mohammad Salemy’s text highlights the futility of it all.
