Unveiling of artist-in-residence Mehdi-Georges Lahlou's 72 in the Wind

Paradis incertain, Mehdi-Georges Lahlou

Free and open to the public.

For his first outdoor installation in the United States, Artist-in-Residence Mehdi-Georges Lahlou will present 72 in the Wind, a reimagining of his earlier 72 Vierges (2012).

The original 72 Vierges was comprised of 72 white plaster busts of the artist, each covered by a white Muslim veil, representing the 72 promised houris that a Muslim martyr can hope to meet in paradise. In its Lynden manifestation, the 72 white veils are hung like flags from 72 white poles. Outdoors, the installation's elements will be in constant dialogue with the natural elements--wind, snow, the color of sky and leaves--creating a poetic movement in an otherwise minimal proposition. White, the color of mourning for Muslims and of purity for Christians, is also the color of the flags used to signal peace, truce or surrender under the Hague Convention of 1899.

Mehdi-Georges Lahlou has been at Lynden since the beginning of October on a research-and-production residency. Additional support for the residency comes from Galerie Dix9 - Hélène Lacharmoise, Paris, France.

More information: http://www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/content/mehdi-georges-lahlou-72-vierges