Sameer Farooq - Exhibition at University of Nevada Reno

Sameer Farooq

Sameer Farooq exhibition at UNR is base mostly on everyday ordinary things that we all take for granted. Everyday items that we use and touch. He will take them and turn them into art pieces. Every items like kitchen sponges and toy soldiers are on display. another piece that he shows are cans of Del Monte Sloppy Joes is displayed on a sunset backdrop.

In his own words he likes to take everyday objects and elevate their worth by putting them on a display. He talked about the paper plates he had on display. They are just everyday objects that we use and then discard them. We interact with these items more that pristine china or works of art. Yet we hold those pristine items with more value that our everyday items that we actually use. He just thought it was very interesting that we do that in our everyday lives. He got these items from the local dollar store and elevated their value to show our interactions with these everyday items. 

From my perspective it is interesting to think that we do hold certain items more value than just our everyday items we see; Like paper plates, plastic cups, can of beans, etc. I wonder to my self, why do we do that? In third world country the poor hold value to things like finding food, shelter, and just surviving for the night. I think that we do take things for granted at times. It is just nice that he sheds light to these facts. Same we seems to have insight to what is really of value to us. Even if we don't see it for ourselves. It would be interesting to see what would happen to the people who use these everyday things and just have these everyday things ripped out of their lives. Maybe it would give them a different perspective of what is truly important. 

My conclusion is that Sameer has a great insight to the human condition and is interested in what makes us tick. He was also very interested in learning, making new friends, and fascinated with getting to really know a person. He said in is short presentation at the exhibition that some of the best stories he has was from really getting to know someone. No social media, Facebook, Skype, etc. but really doing a one on one talk with someone. Something I feel that we lack in my generation is that authenticity or just talking to someone and learning what you can about them. But Sameer seem to have that fire in him to learn about people. It was a great exhibition and I really appreciate the message he was sending.