Apparatus + Ehya

The Shiraz Khatam series imagines objects of pan-cultural influence, blending a modernist interpretation of classical western forms with the intricate, geometric style of Persian marquetry called Khatam. The ancient technique uses thousands of pieces of wood, metal, and camel bone to wrap forms in a kaleidoscopic pattern. Conceived by Gabriel Hendifar and created in collaboration with Shirin Ehya, a Los Angeles-based Iranian designer traveling between the united states and Iran, the Khatam collection of objects for Act III was planned as a limited edition produced by artisans in Iran. Due to current US sanctions against trade with Iran, which were recently expanded to include art objects, and having exhausted all possible avenues, we are prevented from producing the limited edition collection for the foreseeable future.