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Syndesmos


Collaboration with: Serge Schoemaker Architects
Materials: Steel and electronics, year: 2024

Light Sculpture Creates Symbolic Bridge at Fort van Hoofddorp
Syndesmos, derived from the Greek word for connection, is an evocative light installation gracing the moat of the UNESCO World Heritage site Fort van Hoofddorp. This permanent, luminous artwork eloquently symbolizes the bridge between the fort and its surroundings, as well as the link between the island's rich history and its contemporary identity.

Originally constructed in 1904 as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, the fort has since evolved into a vibrant cultural hub within the Haarlemmermeer region. The imposing, elongated structure of the fort contrasts beautifully with the Syndesmos sculpture, which features a porous, upward-reaching steel framework that rises above the surrounding reeds. Standing at three meters high and spanning six meters across, Syndesmos commands attention and engages in a visual dialogue with the massive concrete fort.
The sculpture is composed of two angled triangles balanced on the preserved pillars of the historic bridge. These abstract forms are a nod to the triangular shape of the fortress island, with one triangle symbolizing the past and the other representing the present. At night, the undersides of the triangles are illuminated, casting a delicate interplay of light across both the sky and the water, creating a captivating nocturnal tableau.


Collaboration with Serge Schoemaker Architects
The artwork was commissioned by the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and was financially supported by the Province of North Holland.
photography: MWA Hart Nibbrig

location (Google Maps link)





















Pavlopetri


Materials: Wood, dibond, and electronics, year: 2024

Golden Pavilion Pavlopetri Explores the Relationship Between Amsterdam and Rising Sea Levels
How does a future dominated by rising water feel and sound? The  installation Pavlopetri, by Siba Sahabi and composer and sound artist Rutger Zuydervelt, delves into the relationship between the Netherlands and rising sea levels. This thought-provoking artwork is on display until the end of August 2024 at the former NDSM shipyard.

Projections indicate a significant rise in sea levels over the coming centuries. The title Pavlopetri references the ancient Greek underwater city that rests at a depth of four meters on the seabed. Sahabi and Zuydervelt pose a poignant question: what must we do to prevent Amsterdam – which currently lies two meters below sea level – from becoming the next Pavlopetri?

This pressing question is embodied in an installation standing four meters tall with a ceiling at two meters, integrating various visual and acoustic properties of water. The golden, reflective exterior and open design of the installation engage in a dialogue with the surroundings.
Inside the pavilion, Zuydervelt’s soundscape evokes an underwater world. A light animation, visible after sunset on the ceiling, captures the reflections from undulating water surfaces.
Through this work, the creators aim to make the (future) consequences of the climate crisis tangible for the public.


concept and design: Siba Sahabi
Music: Rutger Zuydervelt
Production of pavilion: Schaalwerk
Light and sound technique: Aukes Theatertechniek
Presentation partner: Stichting NDSM-werf Support: Creative Industries Fund NL and Cultuurfonds
photography: Gert Jan van Rooij (above) and MWA Hart Nibbrig (below)  Pavlopetri is presented at NDSM in Amsterdam 
26 May – 31 August 2024
location (Google Maps link)
























Asclepius


Materials: Metal and wood, year: 2022
The sculpture titled Asclepius was custom-designed for the Care XL health center in Rotterdam.
Its geometric design draws inspiration from the artistic tradition of Middle Eastern patterns, creating a unifying symbol for the center's diverse patient community. Standing 3 meters tall, Asclepius is prominently placed at the heart of the entrance hall. The sculpture features a spiral form composed of a square metal framework interwoven with triangular wooden elements. In the evening, it is illuminated, seamlessly integrating into the nighttime streetscape.
concept and design: Siba Sahabi
light design: Merijn Sabée
architecture: Serge Schoemaker Architects
production: Schaalwerk 
photography: MWA Hart Nibbrig
Client: CareXL
 Asclepius is realized with the support of the Creative Industries Fund NL.










Plato


Materials: Wood, metal, acrylic, water, electronics, year: 2021

Siba Sahabi’s newest installation entitled Plato brings the famous allegory of the cave to life.
In his allegory Greek philosopher Plato divides our world into reality and delusions that pass for reality. He uses shadow images as a symbol for collective 'blind spots' that prevent us from seeing the truth.

Artist Sahabi explains: ‘The 2.500-years-old allegory has had a huge impact on our culture and is still relevant today. You can compare Plato’s shadow images with the virtual images of the 21st century and ask yourself: How big is the impact of virtual images on our values and norms? And how strongly is our identity shaped by these images?'

The interactive outdoor installation measures 2,6 meters in height and 2,2 meter in width. The artwork consists of an oval-shaped metal frame 3 meters in length. The frame is bent in a 90 degree angle towards the back side, where it holds a big white circle-shaped frame in an upright position. A transparent lens in the center of the white frame continually revolves around its axis at low speed. The lens is illuminated by a theatrical spotlight from the front side of the installation. The light that passes through the lens casts shadow images of the bypassing visitors on a screen positioned behind the installation.

 ‘The unique element of the installation is the lens,’ Sahabi explains. ‘It consists of 39 acrylic tubes, each 4 centimeters in diameter and filled with water, arranged next to each other like organ pipes. Depending on where the light travels through the water-filled tubes, the light waves are refracted and create morphing shadow images of the interacting visitors. This effect is just magical.’ 
A specially-commissioned soundscape by Machinefabriek/ Rutger Zuydervelt amplifies the surrealistic experience.
The installation invites the audience to experience the relationship between philosophy and art in a playful way.




concept and design: Siba Sahabi
co-producers: Siba Sahabi Foundation, Creative Coding Utrecht, Uncloud
location: Utrecht, the Netherlands
exhibition partners: Uncloud, Le Guess Who?
music on site: Machinefabriek / Rutger Zuydervelt
production: Brandwacht en Meijer
photography: MWA Hart Nibbrig
support & sponsoring: Creative Industries Fund NL, Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds, ESWA B.V., Baars & Bloemhoff



Plato was launched at the 'Voormalig Pieter Baan Centrum' (former forensic psychiatric institute). The exhibition Transliminal was part of the festivals 'Uncloud' and 'Le Guess Who? 2021’. 









 



Imaginem Sui


Materials: Brass, year: 2021

With her new work Sahabi combines the 'European' linear perspective with Middle Eastern arabesque patterns
Intrigued by the mutual influence of European and Middle Eastern art, she reflects on the cultural constellations of these vast regions through geometric mirror objects. 'The art history of Europe and the Middle East often are taken to have developed separately, based on different beliefs and artistic expressions. We tend to forget the strong mutual influences and shared history of these two regions,’ Sahabi explains. ‘Italian painters, for example, developed the revolutionary linear perspective during the Renaissance based on knowledge of Middle Eastern scientists. On the other hand, iconic Arabic patterns descended from simpler designs used in earlier cultures such as the Greek, Roman and Sassanian societies. With this work I want to show that these two approaches are still strongly linked.’

Repeating patterns
Sahabi expresses the concept of linear perspective by giving the objects a three-dimensional shape.
Behind the black top layers with diamond-shaped openings, she created architectural spaces to evoke the illusion of the central perspective.
The mirror surfaces placed behind the top layer reflect the black surface several times, similar to the effect of a kaleidoscope. In this way, they mimic a characteristic of Middle Eastern arabesque: the repetition of patterns. Sahabi's collection entitled 'Imaginem Sui' consists of five wall objects made entirely of brass, including reflective and blackened surfaces. The objects are 31.5 cm high and long and 6 cm deep.
photography of art work by Studio Zelden
photography with models by Henri Verhoef
 This project was made possible by the Creative Industries Fund NL.




Imaginem Sui is part of the museum collection of the GRASSI Museum in Leipzig.


























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