Asia Contemporary Art Forum (ACAF) is pleased to inaugurate the first iteration of Talking Peers program in collaboration with Twelve Gates Arts in the form of a solo exhibition: The Pleasure of Futile Cycles–centering on works by artist, writer, and educator, Yasi Alipour, curated by the artist and curator Maryam Ghoreishi. 

 
As the first point of connection between the two Iranian-born Brooklyn based art professionals–Alipour and Ghoreishi–The Pleasure of Futile Cycles serves as the premier of ACAF’s 2022 Talking Peers program envisioned by ACAF board directors Leeza Ahmady, Megha Ralapati, and Christopher Ho, to prompt collaborations between Asia and diaspora artists, curators and educators. This initiative aims to activate, empower, and renew professional networks–building artistic connections and expansive peer-to-peer mentorship structures. 

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The Pleasure of Futile Cycles features recent and new tactile works by Yasi Alipour made on a variety of paper materials. At first glance the works may appear as though they are drawn, however each piece is formed purely through the artist’s act of folding and unfolding paper, in combination with the cyanotype process. On coated black papers, the image emerges from the folding traces of the dark surface. Through the cyanotype process, the image is developed with exposure to light, as asemi-unpredictable interaction between light and the light-sensitive surface, creating a spectrum of blue tones.