Parsec #3

“In the mirror sculptures like Parsec (2009–2011), I tried to retain the volumes of the sculpture, in the new ones it is very much about a permeable physicality of sculpture. The Constructivist idea of space and time in sculpture is something quite close to me. But I see the meaning of the line a bit differently than Naum Gabo or Antoine Pevsner. For me, it’s all line, and therefore everything is infinite, since the line is mathematic, regardless of how long it is or how many points it consists of.” (In conversation with B. Schmitz, 2012)


Timo Nasseri's choice of material ranges from stainless steel to mirrors to wood. The artist draws inspiration from ideas such as the notion of parallel universes from the world of quantum physics, texts by Jorge Luis Borges, or conceptions of geometry and visual culture from the Islamic context. However, his main source of inspiration derives from Persian architectural ornamental vaulting from the 10th century called muqarnas, as well as decorative mosque entrances.

Here, the sculptor particularly chose to include the space that he considers to be important to the extent that all angles of view are adopted. The artist aims to convey a universal language: the visual language. The present work takes triangular shapes of the muqarnas –- which form the surface of a brightening diamond. This luminosity is magnificently returned with the technique of polishing stainless the steel. “In Arab culture, geometry is referred to as light architecture, and in the Arabic visual language there is a geometry of light,” said the artist in conversation with Britta Schmitz in his studio in 2012. Producing reflections and multiplication of endless lines, this technique gives the impression of infinity which is a recurrent theme in his oeuvre. The previous work comes under one of a real scientist: first, he designs a triangular figure; he then, adds parabolas with straight lines to finish with a 3D computer programme.