Istituto Svizzero, Rome

November 9, 2024 – March 2, 2025

Blood Most Precious

Shahryar Nashat

Blood Most Precious is Shahryar Nashat’s first major solo show in Rome. In his practice, the artist often deals with the representation of bodies. Light falls filtered into the rooms of Istituto Svizzero, where Shahryar Nashat continues his research with new and existing works: he develops visual and conceptual connections between the significance of blood in Christian theology (the precious blood!) and the fragmented or abstracted representation of bodies with blood and flesh and saliva, of desirable bodies, digitally present on the glossy surface of our smartphones. At the same time, Blood Most Precious is also a reflection on desire and disgust or on cycles – of (body) fluids, but also of life and death.

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024

Installation view, Blood Most Precious, Istituto Svizzero, Rome, 2024