Mehdi Moutashar

Trois Plis à 60° et Deux Carrés (Three Folds at 60° and Two Squares)

painted wood, painted steel and elastic wire

141 by 191 cm. 55 1/2 by 75 1/4 in.

Executed in 2021.

Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai

Mehdi Moutashar’s wall-based works, which he terms “Constructions,” exude a sense of rotation and dynamism. Utilizing a palette limited to black, white, and ultramarine blue, these geometric sculpture-paintings create the illusion of objects in flux, either spinning or deliberately moving toward a focal point. In these works, Moutashar employs elastic materials to form squares that he configures and reconfigures into energetic geometric compositions, adhering to self-imposed rules.

These pieces emphasize the interplay between voids and solid forms, light and shadow, inviting viewers to envision their own interpretations of the outlines. The titles of Moutashar’s works often reflect his creative process and visual language, with recurring terms such as “plis”(folds), “mouvement” (movement), “angles,” and “carrés” (squares).

While not overtly calligraphic, his works share characteristics with Arabic calligraphy. His squares evoke the “nuqta” (dots) of the “qalam” (reed pen); black rectangles and lines fold upon themselves, resembling calligraphic flourishes; and his rule-based approach mirrors the principles established by 10th-century Arab vizier and calligrapher Ibn Muqla. Moutashar’s art resides at the intersection of Western geometric abstraction and Islamic artistic traditions, creating a dialogue between cultural heritage and contemporary expression.