Catalogue > At random

A dialogue between Mount Ararat and René Daumal's Mount Analogue contemplates the paradox of their visible yet unreachable presence as inland mountains. It reflects on how mountains, serve not only as physical landmarks but also as metaphysical constructs that shape our sense of self. Through this lens, the boundaries between personal biography and geography dissolve, revealing the intricate ways in which our identities are intertwined with the landscapes we inhabit. Mount Ararat, its 5,137-meter volcanic peak visible on the horizon, stands as a poignant symbol—permanently in sight, yet inaccessible due to the intractable forces of geopolitical struggle.

In her filmic practice, Gohar Martirosyan investigates the complex interplay of influences that contribute to the formation of an individual or identity, whether these influences arise from historical events, cultural practices, social ties, or relationships with various forms of life. Through the use of archival footage and technological processes, her video installation facilitates a dialogue between once-inhabited, now inaccessible geographies, which are deeply connected to the artist's own biography. Gohar studied at Le Fresnoy, was born in Gyumri (Armenia), and is currently based in Paris.