Hand-crafted works & process material, devised in relation to a proposed VR learning platform exploring ancient western history, culture, and symbols. In this work, I investigate & analyse culture in the footsteps of founding analytical psychologist C.G. Jung and his successors. As a biracial UK national, I see both sides of the fence in the topics that matter. I am fascinated in the polarisation in our society between tradition and liberalism in the current day. Why is it that this polarisation exists? What does it mean to refer to “tradition” really? And how is it that so many people (non-white and white) comment on and criticise tradition, history, and so on, when we have no centralised learning structure or system that enables to define concretely & concisely what any of these things really are.
I built this project starting at the foundation – the core & beginnings of what can be considered “west” ( beginning in & around Mesopotamia, in what we now call unironically the ‘Middle-East’). This work is heavily influenced by years of research into psychology, sociology, and art theory, with many more years ahead before the proposed vision could ever achieve its true, realised form. This work is about ambition. About daring to take a bold step into an unknown future, holding hands with all of the best humankind has been in the past, and all of the worst too.
The sword I forged with my own hands is a symbol that transcends our time, both forwards & backwards.
It is my hope that despite the plethora of potential catastrophes the worst of us could (and would) bring about, some numinous thing may yet survive and serve as a guardian of learning, bravery, strength & goodness, as well as the necessity to be able to commit evil.
Follow my work on instagram: @Tarek.amt, or at www.tarekamt.co.uk
Hand-crafted works & process material devised in relation to a proposed VR learning platform exploring ancient western history, culture, and symbols.