Jay Shah
DevOps\Aerospace Engineer & Journalist
Hey everyone! I recently had the chance to experience the
GAME PROJECT!
an extraordinary performance art piece by the talented Pegah Tabassinejad; an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and wanderer. You might remember Pegah’s father’s work from my coverage of the art exhibit “Unearthed: Persian Artists’ Gathering“, but Pegah’s work stands on its own with a unique voice and perspective. She was accompanied by Aryo Khakpour — whose work I previously highlighted in “A Surrealist Evening at The Polygon Gallery: Premiere of a Film About a Uterus“. Together, they explore themes of power dynamics and cultural adaptation through their physical and surrealistic practices, capturing the essence of this urban wander on camera.
This piece beautifully blended solitude with collective experience as we explored the city through Pegah’s movements and unique perspectives; taking us on a meditative stroll (that was sarcastic..it was chaos) through Vancouver. Her strolls and his keen eye behind the camera created an immersive experience that left us all deeply connected to the city and each other and mostly revealed the darker aspects of our humanity we tend to ignore.
The event took place at:
Howe St.
300-1131 Howe St.
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2L7
Unceded Coast Salish Territories
a fantastic venue known for supporting indie filmmakers and multimedia artists. This artist-run centre, located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, has a rich history of nurturing creative talent. They offer everything from film and digital production equipment to editing suites and screening rooms, making it a haven for artists pushing the boundaries of their craft.
By supporting independent filmmakers and media artists, it contributes to the city’s cultural fabric, ensuring the moving image’s transformative power continues to evolve and inspire. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or a curious newcomer, this organization offers a welcoming and resource-rich environment to explore, create, and connect.
Strolling Through Solitude: The VANCOUVER Experience
“I will stroll around for you and with you,”
Pegah invited us, and she delivered on that promise. Her performance encouraged us to join her in this reflective journey, experiencing the city through her body and perspective.
She describes her act of wandering as a solitary yet deeply reflective journey.
“I wander for hours thinking, not-thinking, strolling, observing, listening, remembering, dancing, witnessing,” she shared during the event.
This performance aimed to explore the collective experience of strolling while maintaining an atmosphere of solitude. It was a unique opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the city in a profound way.
Aryo, a multidisciplinary performer, director, and dramaturg, accompanied her with his camera, capturing the essence of this urban exploration. His involvement added a rich, multifaceted layer to the performance, blending his expertise in physical theatre and visual storytelling. His work as I mentioned earlier often explores themes of power dynamics and mythologies, which he discussed in detail during the Q&A session at the premiere of his film about a uterus; shared,
“These themes manifest through the protagonist’s encounters with patriarchal institutions, reflecting on the power dynamics between genders and societal expectations.”
During the GAME PROJECT, Aryo’s camera work didn’t just document Pegah’s movements—it amplified them. His ability to capture the subtle nuances of her wandering, the interplay between light and shadow, and the quiet moments of introspection brought a deeper emotional resonance to the experience. This collaboration transformed the urban landscape into a living, breathing canvas of art and introspection.
The Friction of Presence
One fascinating aspect of the performance was the friction caused by her having to be present and aware while receiving instructions through her headset from a remote studio. She expressed a sense of freedom during the performance because most people on the street were unaware of what she was doing, allowing her to express a
“childlike, carefree, free-spirited vibe.”
She felt like an avatar for the city of Vancouver and the audience, embodying their collective consciousness.
This sense of duality—being both in the moment and guided by unseen hands—created a unique tension. She noted how this dual awareness allowed her to perform with a sense of secrecy and liberation, as she navigated public spaces under the guidance of the audience, who were actively shaping the narrative without the knowledge of passersby. This layer of anonymity and control added a rich dimension to the performance, making it a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience for both her and the audience.
Themes and Movements
Her inspiration stemmed from her experiences in therapy and her research over the past decade. She explored concepts of distancing and the interplay between public and private spaces. The idea of blending solitude with a collective experience was a key theme, as she wanted to maintain an atmosphere of introspection while engaging with the audience’s input.
“I wander for hours thinking, not-thinking, strolling, observing, listening, remembering, dancing, witnessing.”
she shared during the event, encapsulating the essence of her creative process.
Her movements, inspired by games like Pokémon avatars, added a playful element to the performance. This gamified approach resonated with the audience, creating a dynamic interaction between her physical expressions and the audience’s instructions. She emphasized how these playful movements allowed her to explore deeper themes of identity and presence, using the familiar format of a game to bridge the gap between personal introspection and public performance. This playful yet profound approach made the performance accessible and engaging, inviting the audience to reflect on their own roles within the urban environment.
Challenges and Boundaries
Both artists faced significant challenges during the creation and execution of the performance. She recounted a particularly intense moment in Berlin involving an Afghan woman refugee performer, where audience instructions led to a heated discussion about safety and personal choice. This incident underscored the delicate balance between artistic freedom and ethical considerations in participatory art.
The performance’s unpredictable nature meant they only knew the starting and ending points, with no rehearsals. This spontaneity added to the authenticity and rawness of the piece, emphasizing the trust between the collaborators. They shared how these challenges tested their adaptability and creativity, pushing them to embrace uncertainty and find beauty in the unexpected. This approach not only highlighted the importance of trust and collaboration but also underscored the resilience required to create art that engages deeply with social and personal themes.
Inside the Artistic Wander: The Making of
I had the incredible opportunity to sit down for the Q&A session involving both of them to dive into the making of this experience. Given my previous coverage on Aryo’s surrealist film about a uterus, I was eager to hear more about their latest creative endeavor.
Pegah’s Inspiration and Process
She began by sharing an anecdote about the uniqueness of the project in Vancouver compared to other cities like Iran and Berlin. She mentioned that each audience member in Vancouver contributed to the performance by giving one sentence and then leaving. This collective participation was pivotal, especially in the first phase of the piece, as the audience played it as a collective, giving her no choice but to fully engage with their input.
Reflecting on the performance, she described her emotional journey:
“Feeling comes after the performance. During it, I am full of energy due to adrenaline and concentration, but the day after, I crash—I cannot move, cannot talk.“
This stark contrast highlights the intensity of her immersive process, where light-hearted moments on stage juxtapose with her post-performance exhaustion. She further elaborated on how the spontaneous nature of the audience’s instructions created a raw and authentic experience, forcing her to navigate and adapt in real-time, which added layers of complexity and unpredictability to her performance.
Aryo’s Vision and Collaboration
His camera work was crucial in capturing the essence of her wandering. When asked about his approach, he detailed his meticulous planning and artistic intuition. Despite the challenges of not hearing the instructions she received, he managed to follow her seamlessly, creating a visually compelling narrative.
“I’m not a videographer; she wanted a performer,”
he emphasized, highlighting the importance of trust and familiarity in their collaboration.
Aryo’s role extended beyond mere documentation; he became an integral part of the performance. His ability to capture the subtle nuances of her movements, the interplay of light and shadow, and the spontaneous interactions with the environment elevated the piece. His background in physical theatre and visual storytelling allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the project, blending performance and film in a way that highlighted the fluid boundaries between reality and art.
Memorable Moments and Audience Reactions
Throughout the Q&A, they shared memorable moments, including the physical and emotional highs of the performance. One audience member noted feeling uncomfortable watching the piece, which she addressed by explaining her role as a conduit for the audience’s desires and instructions, regardless of gender or intention.
The artists recounted various standout experiences, from spontaneous moments of joy to intense interactions that sparked important discussions. These anecdotes provided a glimpse into the unpredictable and often profound nature of the performance, revealing how each participant’s input shaped the narrative in unique ways. The audience’s varied reactions highlighted the performance’s impact, sparking conversations about power dynamics, personal boundaries, and the role of the artist in society.
Academic Insights
During the session, a professor of Anthropology from UBC, Dan Small, noted,
“It was a very theoretical piece in some ways, like a fifth wall you are breaching here… this piece delves into the heart of social construction comprising of so many elements.”
His comments highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the performance, bridging the gap between film, performance art, and social dynamics.
Small’s observations emphasized how the GAME PROJECT challenged conventional boundaries of art and performance, creating a space where academic theory and practical artistry intersected. His insights added depth to the discussion, framing the performance within broader cultural and social contexts.
Small’s observations emphasized how the GAME PROJECT challenged conventional boundaries of art and performance, creating a space where academic theory and practical artistry intersected.
“This piece explores the intersection of gender, societal norms, and individual agency,”
he added, drawing attention to the complex themes navigated through Pegah’s and Aryo’s work.
The professor continued,
“Within anthropology, there’s a field around narrative, and one of my favorite realms within narrative is that life is lived like a story and that stories are not a crystallized thing but an action.”
This perspective on narrative as an evolving, dynamic process was reflected in the GAME PROJECT’s fluid and responsive nature, reinforcing the idea that art can be both a mirror and a mold for social constructs.
Small concluded by invoking Oscar Wilde: “Art does not imitate life but life imitates art,” underscoring the profound influence of artistic endeavors on our perception and understanding of reality. His academic lens provided a deeper appreciation for the intricate layers and societal implications woven into the performance, affirming its role as a powerful catalyst for reflection and discussion.
Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts
Experiencing the GAME PROJECT was a journey that beautifully combined the personal and the collective. Pegah’s solitary stroll through Vancouver, captured with Aryo’s attentive lens, turned the city into a canvas of introspection and connection. The performance not only showcased their incredible talents but also reminded me of the profound impact that art can have on our perception of the world around us.
Walking through the city alongside her, I felt a deep sense of introspection. Her ability to transform everyday urban spaces into sites of artistic exploration was truly inspiring. It made me think about how we often overlook the beauty and complexity of our surroundings in our daily rush. Aryo’s visual storytelling further enriched this experience, bringing out the subtle nuances of Pegah’s movements and the city’s landscape.
The themes of presence and absence, real and virtual, were woven seamlessly into the performance. These concepts, which she frequently explores in her work, resonated deeply with me as we navigated through the city.
Reflecting on this experience, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to other performances I’ve covered. The transformative power of art in “Measure for Measure“, the emotional resonance of “Silent Howl“, and the community-building aspects of “The African Dream” all echoed in the GAME PROJECT. Each of these experiences, in their own unique way, highlighted how art can bridge the personal and the collective, turning individual reflections into shared narratives.
This performance also reminded me of the powerful exhibit “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia,” which I covered previously. This exhibit at The Polygon Gallery highlighted the intersection of art and activism, showcasing how art can be a force for social change. The themes of resistance and expression in Pussy Riot’s work resonated with this piece’s’ exploration of personal and collective dynamics. Both highlighted how art can challenge societal norms and provoke critical reflection.
As I look forward to their future artistic endeavors I am filled with excitement and anticipation. Their ability to push boundaries and explore new themes is truly inspiring and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
For anyone who feels inspired by their work, Pegah and Aryo’s advice is simple yet profound:
” Embrace the journey, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to explore the unknown.“
Their dedication to their craft and their willingness to tackle complex themes serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of art.
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6 responses to “GAME PROJECT: An Immersive Urban Wander with Pegah Tabassinejad and Aryo Khakpour”
[…] performance to create spaces where real, challenging conversations happen very much similar to the GAME PROJECT I covered earlier. The accessibility of the festival (both in terms of ticket prices and the […]
[…] arts scene, you might remember my coverage of Aryo’s work as the man behind the lens in the GAME PROJECT as well as his surrealist piece MUD at the Polygon Gallery. Empty-Handed takes their collaboration […]
[…] the unexpected, the innovative, and the downright extraordinary. From the surreal wanderings of the GAME PROJECT to the thought-provoking narratives that challenge our perceptions, this medium never ceases to […]
[…] through spaces; from the stunning stages of Theatre Under the Stars to the city itself via The GAME PROJECT. For those seeking to close out the year with a heart full of harmony, this promises to be as […]
[…] cinema as I’ve observed in this city (GAME PROJECT; among many countless others) often invites audiences to shed familiar comforts, urging them to step into realms where narrative […]
[…] perhaps you caught my coverage of GAME PROJECT, where Aryo was the unseen force behind the lens, weaving an urban wander through hidden Vancouver […]