The art of Qalam-Zani, or metal embossing and engraving, is a venerable Persian tradition where the artist’s hand imparts rhythm and narrative onto cold metal. Dating back to the Achaemenid era, this craft is characterized by its ability to create both subtle textures and bold, raised designs, turning a simple metallic sheet into a rich tapestry of form and story. Each strike of the hammer, guided by the artist's vision, shapes the metal into a living surface, whispering tales of history and beauty.
In "Echoes in Metal," Mohammad Jamshidi utilizes the robust framework of a basketball backboard as the foundation for a profound display of Qalam-Zani. This particular work delves into abstract or stylized motifs, allowing the interplay of light and shadow on the hammered surface to evoke movement and energy—a subtle nod to the dynamics of the game itself. The utilitarian strength of the backboard is thus softened and enriched by the enduring elegance of metal artistry, creating a piece that resonates with both ancient craft and contemporary power, inviting contemplation on the echoes of past and present.