Melisa Valipour

This body of work connects closely to the idea of “plasticity” as a process of change, instability, and transformation. Both pieces focus on in-between states—between life and stillness, presence and absence—and explore how forms shift and reorganize when they encounter different forces.

In the first video work, an abandoned and frozen factory is shown as a lifeless system, shaped by time, neglect, and stillness. It feels as though all energy and emotion have disappeared. The arrival of the fish, as a symbol of movement and life, introduces a turning point. Through this moment of contact, the space begins to change—the heart starts beating again, and the factory slowly comes back to life. This reflects the idea of plasticity, where systems are not fixed, but can break down and rebuild in response to pressure and interaction. The artist’s statement also suggests that creation can emerge from exhaustion and loss, pointing to fragile moments where new forms and meanings can appear.

The second work explores the idea of parallel worlds. The rug, made from many threads, becomes a symbol of multiple realities existing at once. Through performance, the work creates a feeling that one can move between these worlds at any moment, within a space that is both existence and non-existence. This constant shifting challenges the idea of a single, stable reality and instead presents experience as something fluid and changeable.

Together, these works focus on moments of transition, breakdown, and renewal. They show how systems—whether physical or conceptual—can reshape themselves through pressure, connection, and uncertainty. In this way, the works align with the exhibition’s theme, while also offering a more critical view of change, where transformation includes both tension and possibility.