«You came to mind; I seek my desire,
For in good fortune lies the essence of a good omen.»Hafez's sonnets are the manifestation of the Iranian collective and individual spirit, interpretable and rich contextual. Hafez's divination (fal) serves important social functions such as relaxation, promoting positivity, making things easy and seeking solution for the future, bring relief and inner peace.For years, they have been taking the Hafez horoscope at various events. Hafez himself has mentioned this ability in his sonnets:«Although the Tranquility of the Heart, I know, does not grant the desire of the heart. I draw an imaginary figure, I cast the spell of continuity.»
SARAI Gallery is pleased to present Fortune Telling by Hafez, a solo exhibition featuring the distinguished artist Gizella Varga Sinai, as the second exhibition of the Pasitigris Projects. This solo show marks the gallery's inaugural collaboration with the artist, showcasing her latest collection, which beautifully reconnects Iranian literature and painting, creating a vibrant fusion of cultural expressions. The exhibition will be displayed on November 15 and runs through November 29 at SARAI-Mahshahr.
Building on her previous series that expressed her deep wonder and affection for Iran, this new collection explores her sentiments towards Hafez's Divination (Fal-e Hafez). Her artistic journey into this realm began with her first encounter with fal-sellers at Hafeziyeh, the mausoleum of Hafez in Shiraz. She was captivated by the unique interplay of Iranian culture and literature embodied in this practice.
For Varga Sinai, Hafez's poetry, while rooted in the challenges and darkness of his time, conveys a playful spirit that ultimately embodies hope. This resilience mirrors the enduring spirit of Iranians, who, despite facing significant adversities, continue to hold onto optimism. In this light, Hafez's divination serves as a beacon of hope and tranquility, offering solace and solutions that simplify life's challenges and promote inner peace.
In this collection, Varga Sinai combines graffiti, calligraphy, collage, and acrylic in a vibrant palette to create paintings filled with plants, flowers, birds, mythical creatures, angels, lovers. These symbols-deeply rooted in Iranian Traditional Painting-are interwoven with poetic texts. Through her reinterpretation of compositions and selective emphasis on elements of Persian Miniature Painting, she creates a vibrant, layered environment where literature and painting intermingle. Each artwork stands as a poem in its own right, rich with symbolic resonance and inviting interpretation, encouraging viewers to engage with the mystique of Hafez's sennotes.
