Nasir Nasrallah’s new solo exhibition at 421, titled Poetic of Machines, presents a mythical exploration of the relationship between humans and machines. Through a collection of intricate drawings, paintings, publications, textiles, and installations, the UAE-based artist takes us on a journey into a world of mechanical creatures that exist in an unknown space and time.
The drawings and paintings are detailed, depicting a variety of unique robotic figures. They are often presented in groups, suggesting a kind of community or society of machines. The exhibition acts as a stage or a set where an unscripted narrative plays out, examining how this community of machines converses, communicates, and interacts, and exploring the potential for life in the so-called non-living, and vice versa. The work invites us to consider the impact of machines on our daily lives and our ever-evolving relationship with these mechanical beings.
Nasrallah’s depictions of machines are not merely mechanical; rather, he imbues them with personalities, emotions, and even a sense of humor. As visitors walk through the exhibition, they will encounter a fax machine that receives messages in real-time, and a sofa setup that replicates the one found in Nasrallah’s personal studio. These elements create a sense of familiarity and intimacy, inviting visitors into the artist’s personal world.
Nasrallah is a recipient of the 2023 cycle of the 421 Artistic Development Program. Poetic of Machines is a result of the program which is organized in partnership with pedagogical partner Institute for Emerging Art.
Press release from 421
